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Tree Sucker Removal
Tree Sucker Removal. Tree suckers are branches growing from the base of your tree. Not only are they aesthetically unappealing, but they also produce inferior foliage, blossoms and fruit. Trees will grow suckers during times of stress as an effort to produce more branches. Grafted trees commonly get suckers, because they are the product of two...
Tree suckers are branches growing from the base of your tree. Not only are they aesthetically unappealing, but they also produce inferior foliage, blossoms and fruit. Trees will grow suckers during times of stress as an effort to produce more branches. Grafted trees commonly get suckers, because they are the product of two separate trees. Remove your tree suckers to improve the life of the tree, so it can focus its attention on healthy growth.
Tree Sucker Identification
Examine the bottom of the tree. Remove any mulch or grass to expose your tree flare. The tree flare is the area where the roots spread at the tree's base. Use a shovel and dig a couple of inches away from the sucker to uncover where it is growing from the roots. You can pour water on the area to make digging easier and wash away the soil to get a clear idea where the suck begins and the roots end.
How to Remove Tree Suckers
Take a pair of sharp pruning shears or lopping shears, depending on the width of the sucker. If the sucker is wider than the diameter of a pencil, use lopping shears as long as the sucker can fit easily in its bite. By using a small pruning tool on a large sucker, you increase the chances of tearing the wood and creating a hospitable environment for pests and fungal diseases. Cut the sucker off flush with the roots. Pack the soil around the base of the tree tightly to reduce air pockets from forming, and replace the mulch. Water the plant thoroughly.
Reducing Tree Suckers
Proper cultural practices can reduce the likelihood that your tree develops suckers. Make sure that you understand all of the tree's growing requirements to reduce its stress. Test the soil's pH range to determine if it is within the tree's proper range. You can buy a soil testing kit from your local gardening supply store. Avoid under- or over watering your tree. Keep a rain gauge in your yard to determine weekly rain fall. Most trees need 1 inch of rain a week, which is .62 gallons per square foot.
Follow the directions on your fertilizer's label. Overfertilizing your tree can cause dehydration. Check your tree for signs of pests or diseases. Prune away any damaged or heavily infested branches. Spray with either an insecticide or fungicide. Refrain from severely pruning your tree. Overpruning can stimulate the roots to make up for the lost branches. By making 45-degree downward-angled cuts, you reduce the stress that pruning can cause to a tree.
