Q. Is there a simple way of stopping or preventing the
volunteer trees, i.e., new tree growth that suddenly starts growing near the base of original
tree?
volunteer trees, i.e., new tree growth that suddenly starts growing near the base of original
tree?
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| Root suckers can pop up at any distance from the tree. They can be used for propagation but remember, as in this case, the suckers are clonse of the rootstock and not necessarily the tree on top (scion). |
A. Some plants grow “suckers” at the base of the
plant and others produce suckers, or new growth, a distance away from the
plant. If roots of suckering plants find water and it is out in the open
with enough sun, they will sucker.
plant and others produce suckers, or new growth, a distance away from the
plant. If roots of suckering plants find water and it is out in the open
with enough sun, they will sucker.
 |
| Oleander suckering from its base (crown). |
This is the difference between suckers
arising from the stem or trunk (sometimes called the “crown”) and growing from
the roots. Plants that can grow as a bush sucker from the crown. Plants that
forms “thickets” grow suckers from their roots. Roots suckers are common to
some plums and jujube as well as landscape trees like elm.
 |
| Jujube suckering several feet away from its trunk. Several trees have root suckers like Jujube when they must survive fires. |
So far, the only practical way to eliminate them is to slice the roots and
remove these plants, roots and all. To prevent diseases found in the soil from
invading the tree roots, allow these cut surfaces to heal 24 hours before
burying them again.