Something you might find interesting about cuttings... I found a new way to root them by accident.

My laurel hedge was pruned a couple months ago, and most of the branches I left them where they fell on the mud. Today, I found many of them had rooted, even without any contact with the soil.

Possible factors that increased rooting: species, early dormancy cuttings, lateral placement, protection from the sun by sheet of thick laurel leaves (they have a waxy coat that does not rot), high humidity, winter rain and frost, saturated native mud possibly promotes healthier micro environment. Best cuttings were from greenwood (1st year wood) pieces longer than a pencil a slightly thinner.

Next time I take cuttings, I am going to try using this shaded, wet, mud location to try rooting other species. Maybe in summer covering with wet towels or plastic can mimic the layer of leaves.