Near our house there is/was a massive cotoneaster some 12 ft high and 18 ft diameter. The adjacent house was sold recently and this wonderful specimen has been massacred- chopped down to ground level.

I managed to salvage some pieces 10 inch long which are in water for now. Whats the best way to root them? as I only have one chance. They are green bits, not brown woody bits, and seem to have perked up overnight although they were well droopy when I picked them up.

Tertia,
my golden rule book says:-
Take cuttings 4-6in. long. With a sharp knife cut straight across the stems just below a joint, and insert the cuttings in sandy soil in an open, shaded cold frame. Water the cuttings freely during dry weather and, when roots have formed by early autumn, pot the cuttings singly in 2 and half to 3 and half in. pots of potting compost. Leave the potted cuttings in a closed cold frame during winter and transplant next spring.
Hope this helps
Ernie