Tree growing branches from the ground?

Jul 19th, 2021 12:32 pm

#1

otaknap [OP]: Deal Addict; Feb 26, 2016; 1503 posts; 492 upvotes; Vaughan

Jul 19th, 2021 12:32 pm

I have two trees on the other side of my sidewalk that haven't been maintained even before I moved in. Every year, it grows these "branches" from the bottom of the trunk and they are often very sharp. I cut it down couple of times a year (you can see where I've cut it - i took the picture right after cutting a bunch) but it keeps growing back. I find it a bit hazardous for the kids as it grows out extremely sharp that I even got cut a couple of times before.

any idea what this is? and how I can stop it from growing like that without killing the tree? I have identical trees on my side of the sidewalk that I've been maintaining since I've moved in with mulch all around the trees and this doesn't happen.

Images

Jul 19th, 2021 12:41 pm

#2

fkl118: Sr. Member; Apr 29, 2007; 937 posts; 642 upvotes; Richmond Hill

Jul 19th, 2021 12:41 pm

suckers

+1

Jul 19th, 2021 12:44 pm

#3

grumble: Deal Addict; Mar 22, 2017; 2767 posts; 3861 upvotes; West GTA

Jul 19th, 2021 12:44 pm

It's called 'suckering' and there isn't really a good way to stop it. Cut them down and keep cutting them down, you want to get a bit deeper to cut into the root nodes. It's a stress response, common in trees planted in the 'hell strip' or boulevard strip. your other option is tree removal and species replacement, as some trees sucker more than others.

+1

Jul 19th, 2021 3:46 pm

#4

DealMoney7777: Sr. Member; Aug 31, 2012; 734 posts; 275 upvotes; Toronto

Jul 19th, 2021 3:46 pm

Next time you trim use Sucker Stopper on the cut ends. That will stop them from coming up again. Be sure not to get the Stump one because that will kill the tree that they are coming from.

Jul 19th, 2021 5:38 pm

#5

Vaalka: Newbie; Jan 9, 2021; 42 posts; 16 upvotes

Jul 19th, 2021 5:38 pm

Can I buy this locally ?

Jul 19th, 2021 6:32 pm

#6

Canadadesi: Sr. Member; Nov 13, 2016; 902 posts; 539 upvotes

Jul 19th, 2021 6:32 pm

If it's a boulevard tree you can report to the city and let them know it's a tripping hazard. They are supposed to take care of it.

CD

+1

Jul 19th, 2021 11:42 pm

#7

Didi_beee: Deal Addict; Jul 25, 2008; 1549 posts; 1213 upvotes; Richmond Hill

Jul 19th, 2021 11:42 pm

I also have this problem too. I'm on a corner lot and it seems like my tree and maybe one other on the street always have these growing every summer. They are not really a tripping hazard as its on the boulevard strip by my driveway. However, if I don't trim it, it gets out of control and I guess may be a driving hazard due to obstruction of view.

I do not see this sucker stopper on Amazon, is there another name for it?

Jul 20th, 2021 6:59 am

#8

GoodFellaz: Deal Fanatic; Jun 24, 2015; 7885 posts; 2637 upvotes; 0 downvotes

Jul 20th, 2021 6:59 am

I too am looking for sucker stopper, where do I find it what other name does it go buy?

Supermarket worker at Fortino's
I'm Not a Wise Guy but more of a Good Fella~!
Drive an Escalade

Jul 20th, 2021 8:43 am

#9

The_Professor: Deal Addict; Jan 14, 2007; 4948 posts; 2280 upvotes; GTA

Jul 20th, 2021 8:43 am

grumble wrote: ↑ It's called 'suckering' and there isn't really a good way to stop it. Cut them down and keep cutting them down, you want to get a bit deeper to cut into the root nodes. It's a stress response, common in trees planted in the 'hell strip' or boulevard strip. your other option is tree removal and species replacement, as some trees sucker more than others.

I have an ornamental pear tree in my back yard that has these suckers. It gets plenty of water via my in ground sprinklers and looks very healthy. Could the suckers be present for any other reason aside from stress?

+1

Jul 20th, 2021 9:13 am

#10

Todd96srv: Sr. Member; Dec 4, 2009; 716 posts; 708 upvotes

Jul 20th, 2021 9:13 am

Canadadesi wrote: ↑ If it's a boulevard tree you can report to the city and let them know it's a tripping hazard. They are supposed to take care of it.

CD

Homeowners should be encouraged to do a little maintenance around their house, small pruning jobs like this don’t require a call to the city, just snip them off… Path of least resistance.

+2

Jul 20th, 2021 10:27 am

#11

DealMoney7777: Sr. Member; Aug 31, 2012; 734 posts; 275 upvotes; Toronto

Jul 20th, 2021 10:27 am

This is what is highly recommended. But it doesn’t appear on the Canadian Amazon or HD sites. It does ship to Canada though.

https://www.amazon.com/dp/B00FGIS4G8/re ... Q55C8BFXQG

Jul 20th, 2021 12:10 pm

#12

thriftshopper: Deal Fanatic; Jul 7, 2017; 9205 posts; 4722 upvotes; SW corner of the cou…

Jul 20th, 2021 12:10 pm

Suckers can be a good thing: I've been getting fig cuttings to turn into trees for my garden.

I smile when I see container ships sailing past my house laden with stuff made in China

Jul 20th, 2021 2:19 pm

#13

otaknap [OP]: Deal Addict; Feb 26, 2016; 1503 posts; 492 upvotes; Vaughan

Jul 20th, 2021 2:19 pm

Thanks everyone for the feedback. At least I know what they are called now and what causes it... I guess i'll just prune them every year.

Jul 21st, 2021 9:21 am

#14

GoodFellaz: Deal Fanatic; Jun 24, 2015; 7885 posts; 2637 upvotes; 0 downvotes

Jul 21st, 2021 9:21 am

i had to prune mine every 2 months they grow like suckers and when you have a busy hard job and are away from home for long hours it looks like you neglect your lawn but thats not true

Supermarket worker at Fortino's
I'm Not a Wise Guy but more of a Good Fella~!
Drive an Escalade