Q.
Is anything that can be done about cottonwood suckering from the roots after
you cut the tree down, I poured stump killer onto it only to find later little
cottonwood trees sprouting up around the stump and the lawn. A local expert said
to pull out the sprouts until they start to go away.
Is anything that can be done about cottonwood suckering from the roots after
you cut the tree down, I poured stump killer onto it only to find later little
cottonwood trees sprouting up around the stump and the lawn. A local expert said
to pull out the sprouts until they start to go away.
A.
The basic idea of exhausting the root system by removing the suckers is
correct. Nearly all of the poplars, including cottonwood, sucker from the roots
when they are cut down.
The basic idea of exhausting the root system by removing the suckers is
correct. Nearly all of the poplars, including cottonwood, sucker from the roots
when they are cut down.
The mature tree acts like an energy sink
for new growth. As long as the mother tree is alive, healthy and growing, it
helps suppress growth from the roots. Once the mother tree is removed, the
suppression of sucker growth is also removed. Suckers begin to grow from the
roots as a survival mechanism for the tree.
for new growth. As long as the mother tree is alive, healthy and growing, it
helps suppress growth from the roots. Once the mother tree is removed, the
suppression of sucker growth is also removed. Suckers begin to grow from the
roots as a survival mechanism for the tree.
These suckers will not pull easily because
they are coming from roots. The usual term by “know-it-alls” is to
“exhaust” the energy reserves in the roots by constantly removing
sucker growth.
they are coming from roots. The usual term by “know-it-alls” is to
“exhaust” the energy reserves in the roots by constantly removing
sucker growth.
 |
| Lawn dandelion killer containing dicamba in the ingredients |
The tree “invests” stored energy
into sucker growth in a last ditch attempt to survive after it is cut down. In
Mother Nature, this usually works. In a home situation with a diligent
homeowner, removal of these suckers slowly but surely, exhausts the energy
supply in the roots until finally the entire tree, roots and all, expires.
into sucker growth in a last ditch attempt to survive after it is cut down. In
Mother Nature, this usually works. In a home situation with a diligent
homeowner, removal of these suckers slowly but surely, exhausts the energy
supply in the roots until finally the entire tree, roots and all, expires.
What to do? Remove the suckers as soon as
you see them. This is no easy task even for the young at heart. Chemicals can help
us remove or kill new sucker growth. By spending some money and purchasing products such as Glyphosate or a dandelion killer that contains dicamba or triclopyr in the ingredients makes this job much easier.
you see them. This is no easy task even for the young at heart. Chemicals can help
us remove or kill new sucker growth. By spending some money and purchasing products such as Glyphosate or a dandelion killer that contains dicamba or triclopyr in the ingredients makes this job much easier.
 |
| I have been quite happy with my red Dragon flame weeder that is worked quite well |
If a lawn is present, dandelion killer
that will also kill clover or tough to control lawn weeds would be a better
choice than Glyphosate. If this is a desert landscape with rock mulch everywhere,
then Glyphosate would be a good and possibly better choice.
that will also kill clover or tough to control lawn weeds would be a better
choice than Glyphosate. If this is a desert landscape with rock mulch everywhere,
then Glyphosate would be a good and possibly better choice.
Another possibility is to use a propane flame weeder such as Red Dragon. It will not work in a lawn very well but in a desert landscape it works quite well to burn down sprouts rather than to kill them with chemicals.
Spraying must be done when the sprouts are still young and immature to get good kill. They have to stay on top of this sucker growth and not let it get out of hand and
spray probably once a month during the growing season as soon as new
growth appears.
spray probably once a month during the growing season as soon as new
growth appears.
The best time of year to cut down a tree is in the Fall when the sap is following from the leaves to the roots. Cut the tree down leaving a stump. Within 30 minutes do the following: (1) drill some holes around the perimeter of the stump, about an inch deep, and then (2) pour some concentrated weed killer mixed with a little car automatic transmission fluid into the holes. Refill the holes the next day. Remember that for this translocational use of the weed killer it must be done within 30 minutes of having a new stump. I doubt that you will see any suckers coming from that tree's roots.