How to Treat Tree Suckers

Tree suckers are sprouts that emerge from the roots and older wood of fruit and landscape trees. The suckers will spring up and cause damage to the lawn and any surrounding pavement, including walkways and driveways. Damage to the root system or dead and dying wood will cause suckers to occur. If left untreated, the suckers will continue to grow and cause further nuisance and damage. Removing the suckers can be done manually. The broken shoots can then be chemically treated to prevent any future growth.

Sharp pruning shears or machete
Small shovel
Herbicide

Instructions

- 1
  Examine the tree and locate all the suckers.
- 2
  Cut the sucker as close to the base as possible with a pair of sharp pruning shears or a machete. Dig into the soil with a small shovel to expose the base of the sucker, if necessary.
- 3
  Treat the exposed root base of the sucker with triclopyr or glyphosate, herbicides that will inhibit the sucker's future growth. Use a thin layer of either herbicide to prevent poisoning the rest of the tree.
- 4
  Continue to monitor the tree for any new sucker growth. Treat these suckers in the same fashion to prevent them from growing, and potentially damaging any surrounding cement or asphalt.

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