Describe softwood, semi-hardwood, and hardwood cuttings.

• A. Softwood cuttings come from new, soft growth; semi-hardwood from partially matured wood; hardwood from mature, dormant wood.
• B. Softwood cuttings come from mature, dormant wood; semi-hardwood from new growth; hardwood from partly matured wood.
• C. Softwood cuttings come from leaves; semi-hardwood from stems; hardwood from roots.
• D. Softwood cuttings come from partly matured wood; semi-hardwood from mature wood; hardwood from new growth.

Answer: (A)

The test is about how cuttings are categorized by the maturity of the wood they’re taken from, which influences rooting behavior. Softwood cuttings come from new, soft growth of the current season and tend to root readily under spring conditions because the tissue is still active and flexible. Semi-hardwood cuttings come from partly matured wood, usually taken when stems have begun to firm but aren’t fully hard yet, so they’re firmer than softwood but still capable of rooting well. Hardwood cuttings come from mature, dormant wood, typically collected in late fall or winter; they’re more rigid and often require a longer rooting period, but they’re hardy and store well.

This description matches the correct choice: softwood from new growth, semi-hardwood from partially matured wood, and Hardwood from mature, dormant wood. The other statements misidentify the source material, such as softwood from mature wood or hardwood from roots, which don’t align with standard horticultural practice.