Fagus Sylvatica propagation

[kb bonsai]

I was wondering if it is possible to propagate beech from cuttings ?
I have looked thru Wiki and the info on Bonsia4U site and have found no reference.
I have several beech I need to reduce in height ( and require more seedlings for a forest group) , the trunk dia where i wish to cut is quite small ( only approx 8-10mm) and I thought this may be too small to air layer ?

Any advice or thoughts would be appreciated.

Thanks Kb

[Max]

had a look myself and seems seeds are the only option, but you could try the tourniquet method on the trunk, i'm only thinking this because it seems that if you ring bark it, it automatically dies, but in saying that the tourniquet may only prolong the inevitable, maybe

[treeman]

I need some smaller trees to finish a forest as well. This year I put in 50 seeds and got zero germination. A few years ago the same thing. I have not tried cuttings and I hear they are very difficult. I might try some anyway.

[Sno]

I have airlayered one ,so it might be possible to do cuttings . The airlayer was as thick as my little finger .

[Matthew]

Ive got 2 copper beech in the garden but have never tried airlayering or cuttings . Proberly should experiment just to see as I plan to airlayer a few maples this week

[Daluke]

Hey guys.

Air layering works easily.

Cuttings not so much.

The layers I’ve taken took a few months to root. I used peat moss in spring and after a few months the layers calloused and it swelled up massively. Roots (albeit small) formed and i cut - when put in soil it grew roots real quick.

I didn’t use rooting hormone. Maybe it would speed up the process.

[kb bonsai]

Thanks All for the input.
Guess it might be a case of take the air layers I want off the top of the 4 taller trees asap and any prunings off the other 4 trees I have later this season I might try some cuttings. A bob each way !!!!

thanks kB