Gardening with Gary

Gardening Advice from an Expert

Tree Suckers

Root suckers that develop at the base of ornamental crabapple, plum, and cherry trees, and for that matter any other trees you have, should be removed now and as spring forces out more growth. The suckers take energy, food and water from the rest of the tree, and spoil its shape. Using sharp, clean gardening shears, cut the suckers off even with the ground. Keep at them, as they have a nasty habit of returning.

This will make your decorative trees look just like that, trees! Not shrubs. Suckers do not bloom well either and tend to grow wildly in any direction.

On this subject, now is a great time to go through your tools, clean and sharpen them well for the tasks upcoming.

Deb writes~ Is there anything to put on these to stop them permanently?

A. Proper pruning of young non-bearing trees promotes the growth and development of strong, well-spaced branches that can support more larger sized fruit, resist wind and ice damage, improve spray penetration for better insect and disease control and improve light penetration for better fruit set, size and color. Non-bearing citrus trees sprout vigorously from the root stock and from pruning cuts made on hard wood branches. SUCKER-STOPPER RTU controls sprouting from pruning cuts, trunks and root stocks. It is a ready to use product. Do not allow it to contact buds or foliage as injury may result. Mix thoroughly before using. Do not apply it to trees less than one year old as injury and stand loss will occur. Do not treat any tree that is not vigorous, healthy, and free from stress. Apply when the trees show established growth. Remove sprouts and follow the application procedures described below. Do not apply to non-established or stressed trees as injury and stand loss will result. Prune existing sprouts and treat during the dormant season. Thoroughly cover area where existing sprouts were removed, but restrict treatment to the cut surfaces and 2-3" of the surrounding area. Avoid fine spray particles from drifting or splashing on surrounding fruiting wood or buds.

http://www.montereylawngarden.com/pdf/suckstopper.pdf