When grazing goes wrong propagate fruit trees

We have an orchard where the trees are still pretty small and the grass grows. I have grazed it three times now (during the dormant season) and two of those times were very successful. The third time, I am sad to say, was not so much. I lost a branch, a whole (very small) tree, and a citrus was eaten almost to a nub. It was a sad day but I’m all about the lessons that come from these disappointments. I figure, I successfully graze this area before, I must have left them a little too long. I also learned I NEED to protect the trees while they are still small and put that on my project list. Lastly, I decided why not try and propagate the trees. The worst that could happen would be me exactly where I was at that moment. Broken and lost trees.

I actually left all the broken trees just as they were for about 2 weeks (I was that bummed about it and that busy). When I went back to my surprise the parts that had broken off had small but healthy little flower buds. I took that as a sign the trees wanted to keep on growing and I should help them. I gathered the broken branch and cuttings from the split tree then brought them to the house. I made willow tea and soaked the cuttings overnight. Finally, I potted them up. I will tell you that so far they are doing so well I’m a little blown away! Only time will tell if they grow to proper trees but for now I am marveling at these little trees that wanted to grow!

I know there are recipes for willow tea out there and I imagine one should follow them. I did look at a fair few and each one was slightly different. I decided to take the basics of them and do what I usually do… wing it. I took some small willow branches and cut them into small pieces. I poured some boiling water over the top and left it to steep. Once it was cooled down I put the cuttings straight in with the willow pieces and let everything sit for about 24 hours. Very scientific and precise as you can see. I used to be a real stickler for perfect measurements and following directions exactly but I have found with all the possible answers and recipes and how to’s out there I just have to take an amalgamation of what I can actually do with the resources I have and go.

I was so proud of my little success I have taken some other cuttings and followed the same procedure. Fingers crossed I will have two new peach trees and a whole lot more fig trees in my future.