Shoot production and in vitro performance of Juglans nigra L and Quercus rubra L. was studied where 0, 3, 10, 30, or 100mM benzyladenine (BA) in a 20% white exterior latex paint diluted with deionized water were applied separately to 40 cm branch segments to determine the most effective concentration of benzyladenine on bud break and shoot growth. Softwood shoot production was maximized in the harvest months of March and April for J. nigra. Softwood shoot production was maximized in the harvest months of April and August for Q. rubra. Both shoot number and shoot length of softwood shoots decreased linearly with increasing BA concentrations applied to the branch segments of both species. Shoot production also decreased for both species during the dormant season September-December. The softwood shoots were surface disinfested and established on either 0 or 5µM Long Preece medium. When all BA treated softwood shoots were compared to the controls, the BA in the medium caused a significant increase in the number of shoots produced by explants obtained from the branch segments painted with BA. Painting with BA also increased shoot production in vitro, only if BA was also in the medium. Nodal explants cultured on 5µM LP medium taken from softwood shoots forced from branch segments painted with 3mM BA produced more shoots than any other BA concentration applied to branch segments except nodal explants on 5µM LP medium taken from softwood shoots forced from branch segments painted with 30mM BA.