Suckers are vigorous shoots coming up from the base of a tree or shrub. You want to remove them to keep the plant in proper shape and direct energy to the main branches, flowers, and fruit. It can be frustrating when they keep coming back. While you may not be able to prevent suckering once it’s begun, there are ways to discourage and manage it!
Suckers are part of a plant’s natural repertoire for propagation and new growth from the roots. Stress can also cause a tree to double down on suckering, for example, if it’s suffering from lack of moisture, over-pruning, insufficient pruning, or lack of root space.
Trees planted in the strip of grass between a sidewalk and road are especially prone to suckering, as their roots are hemmed in by concrete and compacted earth on both sides. As some species age, they also sucker more as a way to regenerate and invest in younger shoots.
If you let the suckers grow, your tree will start to look like a bush, and your bushes will become even denser. Plus, suckers sap energy away from the main trunk, where you want it for blossoms and fruit production.
If your plant is grafted onto the rootstock of another plant, which is sometimes the case with fruit trees and roses, the suckers will grow into a different plant entirely. If you don’t want a mystery plant choking out your rose, it’s best to prune away the suckers.
What if your berry bushes are getting old and not producing? Then, you may choose to let suckers grow up to replace the old trunks. Or, maybe you want a dense thicket of shrubs in your yard? Then you could let some suckers survive.
A proactive way to prevent suckering is to keep your plants healthy. That means avoiding things that will stress them out. In particular, remember to:
Even if you take steps to prevent suckering, many plants will still naturally do it. Once it starts, the only successful remedy is to remove the suckers. When they are still very small and young, you can rip the suckers out by hand. That is the tidiest method and prevents new suckers from forming at that node.
Once the suckers are a few weeks old, they stiffen up and become impossible to remove by hand. At that point, a set of clippers is your best friend. Remember to clip them as close to the trunk or root as possible for the best appearance.
If you have a lot of suckers to deal with in one area, a Woodman’s Pal comes in handy. You can wield these machete-like tools to cut away several suckers at once.
If you really want to cut down on suckering, you can look to plant varieties with “less suckering.” Keep in mind that “less” suckering may not mean “much less” or “zero.” Also, remember that certain shrubs naturally sucker to reproduce, like forsythia, dogwoods, sumac, and Virginia sweetspire. Remember to factor this into your maintenance plan when you plant them.
While suckering is an unavoidable part of growing trees and shrubs, there are ways to reduce the amount and pull them out when they’re small. With these strategies, removing suckers doesn’t have to suck so much, and you can begin to appreciate this natural part of plant growth and landscape maintenance.
For new tools, trees, or shrubs for your landscape, don’t hesitate to visit our garden centers in Lothian, Alexandria, and Belle Haven!
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