If you’ve got a garden, you know how important it is to stay on top of things to keep your plants thriving. Sometimes, what seems harmless at first glance can actually be a sign of trouble brewing. Take, for instance, those little shoots popping up around the base of your apple tree. While they might seem like a charming addition, these are actually tree suckers, and they’re more of a nuisance than a novelty. These tiny sprouts may look healthy, but don’t be fooled—they’re stealing nutrients and water that should be going to your tree. Luckily, with a bit of know-how, you can manage these pesky suckers and keep your tree in top shape.
Tree suckers can be a bit divisive—some people find them unsightly, while others see them as just another quirk of nature. No matter which camp you fall into, the fact remains: they’ve got to go. Suckers often appear because the root system of your tree gets a little too enthusiastic, particularly in trees that were grafted at a nursery. When the rootstock and the scion (the upper part of the grafted tree) don’t sync perfectly, the roots can end up overpowering the top growth, resulting in a cluster of suckers at the tree’s base. If left unchecked, these suckers can sap your tree’s strength to the point where it can’t recover. The best solution? Prune them away before they do any lasting damage.
Understanding Why Tree Suckers Form in the First Place
Tree suckers don’t just appear out of nowhere. They’re usually a sign that something is off, either with the tree’s root system or its overall health. Stress is a major factor—trees that are stressed by drought, poor soil conditions, or damage are more likely to produce suckers as a survival mechanism. The roots, trying to recover or strengthen, send up these shoots to gather more sunlight and nutrients. However, when a tree is grafted, the scion and rootstock may not be perfectly compatible, leading to an overgrowth of roots that results in suckers. Understanding these causes can help you take preventive steps in the future.
Identifying Tree Suckers vs. Water Sprouts
It’s easy to confuse tree suckers with water sprouts, but they’re not the same thing. While suckers grow from the root system or the base of the tree, water sprouts usually emerge from the trunk or branches. Water sprouts also drain resources from the tree, but they’re often triggered by over-pruning or damage to the tree’s canopy. Knowing the difference is important because the strategies to manage them can vary slightly. Both, however, should be removed to ensure your tree stays healthy and strong.
How Tree Suckers Impact Fruit and Nut Trees
If you’re growing fruit or nut trees, suckers can be particularly troublesome. These trees need all their energy focused on producing a healthy crop, but suckers divert nutrients and water away from the fruit-bearing parts of the tree. Over time, this can lead to a decrease in yield, smaller fruits, and a generally weakened tree. For trees that you rely on for a harvest, managing suckers is even more crucial to ensure you get the best possible yield each season.
Always Prune Tree Suckers While They’re Young
Pruning off tree suckers is a bit like playing a never-ending game of whack-a-mole. Unfortunately, once a tree starts producing suckers, it’s going to keep doing so. The key is knowing when and how to remove them to minimize harm to your tree.
The ideal time to prune suckers is when they’re still young and tender, not after they’ve had a chance to take hold. Since they’re attached to the tree, yanking them off when they’re mature can cause more harm than good. Aim to prune during the growing season—anytime from early spring to early summer works well.
Pruning suckers is straightforward, but technique matters to avoid damaging your tree. Suckers can sprout higher up on the trunk or lower down at the base, sometimes even below the soil line. Start by gearing up with gardening gloves and ensuring your shears or hand pruners are sharp. For suckers higher up the trunk, gently pull on the sucker to assess its connection, then snip it as close to the trunk as possible. For those lower down, brush away any soil to expose the sucker’s base and cut it off at the point of origin.
Long-Term Strategies to Minimize Sucker Growth
While pruning is effective, it’s also temporary. For a more lasting solution, consider strategies that reduce the likelihood of suckers appearing in the first place. Start with proper planting techniques—ensure your trees are planted at the correct depth and in soil that meets their nutritional needs. Regular watering and mulching can reduce stress on the tree, making it less likely to produce suckers. Additionally, avoid over-pruning, which can stimulate excessive sucker growth as the tree tries to compensate for lost foliage.
Resist the Urge to Use Herbicides on Tree Suckers
Managing tree suckers is an ongoing task, and I get it—this can be frustrating, especially if you were hoping for a low-maintenance garden. However, no matter how tempting it might be, resist the urge to use herbicides on tree suckers. Since suckers are part of your tree’s root system, herbicides can harm the entire tree, potentially leading to severe damage or even killing it. Your best bet is to accept pruning as part of your regular tree care routine. Think of it as a small investment in keeping your tree healthy and productive.
How to Choose the Right Tools for Pruning Suckers
Having the right tools makes all the difference when dealing with tree suckers. For smaller suckers, hand pruners or shears are usually sufficient. Look for tools with sharp, clean blades to ensure a precise cut. For larger or tougher suckers, you might need a pruning saw. Whatever tools you use, keep them in good condition—clean them after each use and sharpen the blades regularly. Proper tools not only make the job easier but also help prevent damage to your tree.
When to Seek Professional Help for Sucker Management
There are times when tackling tree suckers on your own might not be enough. If your tree is large, or if the suckers are thick and well-established, it might be time to call in a professional arborist. An expert can remove suckers without harming the tree and can also assess whether the suckers indicate a deeper issue, like root damage or disease. In some cases, professional help can save your tree from long-term damage.
The Role of Mulching and Soil Care in Preventing Suckers
Healthy soil is the foundation of a healthy tree, and mulching plays a big role in maintaining that health. Mulch helps retain moisture, regulate soil temperature, and reduce stress on the roots—stress that could otherwise lead to sucker growth. Apply a layer of organic mulch around the base of your tree, but be careful not to pile it against the trunk. This can create a moist environment that invites rot and disease. Proper mulching, combined with good soil care, can go a long way in preventing suckers from appearing in the first place.
Debunking Myths About Tree Suckers
There’s a lot of misinformation out there about tree suckers. One common myth is that suckers can somehow be beneficial, perhaps by turning into new, healthy branches. Unfortunately, that’s not the case. Suckers are never going to contribute positively to your tree’s health—they’ll only detract from it. Another myth is that once you prune suckers, they’re gone for good. In reality, suckers will keep coming back, and managing them is a continuous process. Understanding these facts can help you take better care of your trees and avoid frustration down the line.
Is There A Time When You Should Keep Suckers?
Yes. I’ve done it myself with a beautiful old plum that had pretty much died off. I very sadly chopped the tree down, as it wasn’t producing anymore and it had become a hazard. A huge portion had actually fallen off over the winter and wrecked the fence. So, down came the tree. But it then produced quite a few suckers. I removed all but a couple of the healthiest, strongest-looking suckers and managed to groom them into healthy, fruiting plum trees. But it isn’t quick – it takes years to get a good crop this way.
Conclusion
Once a tree starts producing suckers, it’s something you’ll need to deal with for the life of the tree. The only way to avoid this hassle is by choosing tree species less prone to sucker growth in the first place. Some trees that are notorious for developing suckers include apple, cherry, elder, hazelnut, and walnut, among others. With proper pruning, your tree can continue to thrive and reward you with many bountiful harvests.
