Rooting hormone encourages rooting, just follow the directions. If pulling the leaves causes the bark to tear then it is better to cut them. Al

Liquid rooting compound is by far better than powder. Don't take off all the leaves, leave two or three. Try dip n'grow or clonex.

I also think the liquid hormone is more effective,especially for the hardwoods. However I seldom use it because it is not "User friendly". I do my cuttings in small batches as the mood strikes me and powder hormone does not need to be mixed and can be kept for years. Once the liquid is mixed it should be used within 24 hours according to the directions, or discarded. I end up throwing out a lot more than I use. Al

I made several hardwood cuttings of Vitex agnus-castus (Chaste Tree) on November 8, 2007. They were then dipped in Green Light Rooting Hormone (purchased at Lowe's)and placed in styrafoam cups of 1/2 peat moss and 1/2 perlite mix, watered, and placed in a plastic zip-lock bag. First growth appeared November 21, 2007. Since then several cuttings have sprouted new leaves. As an experiment I cut several more today and repeated the process. I'll check them in a few weeks. I will try to cut a few more pieces some time in December and repeat the whole process. Needless to say there are no leaves on the plant at this time. The cutting are 3 to 4 inch pieces from a 12 inch branch. They are in the laundry room (no direct sun)on a shelf with a 60 watt bulb left on 24/7 temperature is a constant 70F +/- 5F

I did many experiments with a poplar which I knew would root easily. The experiments were to determine the best conditions. I found cuttings taken in December and January which produced good roots before shoots to be the most effective.