Rooting a Russian Olive tree/shrub?

I want to grow some Russian Olive bushes in my yard. I have access to alot of them growing near my house. Is it easy to take a cutting from an existing shrub and root it in the soil? Anybody know the details on how to do this? Thank you.

Rooting a Russian Olive tree/shrub?
It is pretty easy to propagate by seed, but cuttings are a bit more work and take about a year.





Why on earth would you want to? In the landscaping world they are considered a weed as is the Siberian Elm (Ulmus pumilla which is often mistakenly referred to as a Chinese Elm). They are messy, and spread almost as bad as dandelions! I wouldn't suggest that you deliberately plant them unless you have an area that you want totally taken over.





If you're really sure you want these weeds in your landscape, there are several ways to go about getting them.





Propagation


Seed - best sown as soon as it is ripe in a cold frame. It should germinate in late winter or early spring, though it may take 18 months. Stored seed can be very slow to germinate, often taking more than 18 months. A warm stratification for 4 weeks followed by 12 weeks cold stratification can help. The seed usually (eventually) germinates quite well. Prick out the seedlings into individual pot as soon as they are large enough to handle and plant out when they are at least 6" tall.





Cuttings of half-ripe wood, 3" - 4" with a heel, July/August in a frame. Difficult.





Cuttings of mature wood of the current year's growth, 4" - 5" with a heel, October/November in a frame. The cuttings are rather slow and difficult to root, leave them for 12 months.





Layering in September/October. Takes 12 months.





Root cuttings in the winter.
Reply:Have you considered a Blue Arctic Willow? Similar look but not as messy or problematic. Report It

Reply:Why in the world would anyone want a Russian Olive in their yard? As trees, they are very high maintenance, and a poor tree at that. Unless you can't get anything else to grow there, I'd suggest contacting your county extension office, and getting their recommendation for plants that do good in your area!.