When it comes to exporting cuttings, the most important factor to take into consideration is that we are dealing with live plants that must stay alive before, during and after the trip.

Under normal conditions cuttings are kept at 28 degrees in sealed containers to keep the moisture constant, and they can remain dormant for several months under those ideal conditions. When cuttings are removed from the protection of cold temperatures, they will come out of dormancy and start growing. Once a cutting starts growing, there is no stopping it. You must plant it or it will die.

With these facts in mind, you can conclude that a short delivery cycle is critical to their survival.

Shipping by air.
In order to assure easy passage of cuttings (something custom agents are not used to) through customs, you must secure all the needed permits AT YOUR END

The documentation normally required by your government is the USDA's Phytosanitary certificate which we will get for you. All your documents must be in order before we make the shipment. It may take you some digging find out what your government needs from you and from us to make the passage of your cuttings through customs smooth.

The best way to take the cuttings with you as accompanied baggage. You will have all the permits at hand and can answer customs agents any pertinent questions.

Next best, is to send them Overnight Air. If you are at the port of entry in your country, and the office knows you are there to pick up that specific package, the process will be easier. Since Next day air shipment to destinations outside the US will take much longer than the 1 day, makes no sense in taking chances with other mode of transportation.

No, we do not do "Free Sample" shipments trying to get some cuttings across customs unnoticed. We ship by the book only!

If you are interested in importing poplars to your country, please contact me. We can start exploring the possibilities.

Clones that grow in your country.
Something else to keep in mind is the location where you want to plant. If it is 30 degrees or closer to the Ecuador, either North or South, then the poplars may not survive. The problem is not as much the temperature as it is the length of the days. Poplars require short days to get their dormant mechanism in gear. Altitude also affect the growth of poplars. For a fact I know they don't grow higher than 10000 ft. above sea level. Of course, some experimentation would be very beneficial to see if a clone can be adapted to longer days or higher locations.

If you have no idea of what clone will grow in your area, we have this year what we call the Field Collection. It consists of 32 8" cuttings, one of each of the clones we market. This kit will be the best way you can evaluate all the clones we have. Every cutting is hand marked with the clone designation. Be sure to clearly tag them as you plant. One way you can identify them is using masking tape. Wrap it around the cutting leaving a long end to write on and fold it back on itself. Put the tape just below the top bud on the cutting. Use a Sharpie marker, I have found it is about the only one that will not fade overnight. A better tape can be found at your drugstore.
Field Collection weights about 2 lb. 4 oz. or about a kilo.

Refrigerated Containers:
Whenever you have a large shipment, the best choice is a refrigerated container.Temperature and humidity can be kept constant over a period of months if necessary.

When transporting normal 9 inch cuttings be advised 1 million cuttings occupy about 2340 cubic feet. 40 ft. refrigerated trailers capacity ranges anywhere from 1900 to 2366 cubic feet, depending on where you lease them.