You may have seen small sprouts emerging from the base of a tree and thought little of them. But these shoots of new growth, known as suckers, actually are undesirable and should be removed whenever they appear.
Suckers divert energy that could otherwise go toward the rest of the tree. Beyond that, they don’t do the tree any aesthetic favors. They create an unkempt appearance and, if left long enough to grow to larger sizes, they can alter the overall form of a tree.
This problem is most common with crape myrtles and other ornamental species — but suckers can develop on any tree, big or small. They are a tree’s way of handling stress.
“Oftentimes, this is the result of some kind of mechanical wounding that can happen to the base of the trunk,” said Damon Abdi, assistant professor of landscape horticulture at the LSU AgCenter Hammond Research Station.
Lawnmowers and string trimmers are two of the main culprits responsible for tree injury and suckers, Abdi said. Get too close while you’re trying to cut grass or weeds around the tree, and you’ll knock off some bark. As the tree tries to heal itself, its roots will send out shoots and leaves in search of sunlight and energy.
Other factors, such as soil compaction and environmental stressors, can sometimes cause suckers, too.
Abdi said it’s important to stay on top of suckers so they don’t get out of hand.
“As these emerge, it’s always a good practice to cut them out,” Abdi said. “You can cut them out any time of year, and chances are you’re going to have to make repeat cuts to keep them under control.”
Sharp hand pruners will do the trick in most cases; you may need loppers for thicker suckers. Don’t leave behind any stubs.
“You want to remove them right to the edge of the trunk,” Abdi said.
As a preventative measure, he recommends spreading a layer of mulch around the tree.
“That way, you’re not having as much grass or weeds encroach on it,” he said. “It’s also going to help delineate areas of the landscape.”
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