What is a Sucker?

By

gurth

What must I do to get rid of them??

By Lynda (Guest Post)

Suckers that sprout near the base of a tree or shrub are usually happening because the tree is attempting to expand and grow wider, thicker, OR it has had a root seriously cut and will be confused into believing it needs to grow an offspring at that very spot of the wound. Suckers also sap the energy
of the parent plant/tree/shrub, so most Arborists claim the suckers should be kept cut or pulled off before they become actual branches UNLESS the owner WANTS more branches. Crepe Myrtles are notorious for having suckers and trying to become what they do naturally: to be a BUSH. To train it to become a tree, eliminate all the undesired branches
and patiently wait for the remaining branches to mature over the years. The blooms are always bigger and stronger with fewer suckers/branches involved with any bush/tree that blooms. However, with non-blooming ones the branches and leaves are always thicker and stronger with fewer contending for the roots' nutrients to share among so many "suckers" sucking it until it is almost exhausted, as is the owner keeping up with the extra
care. Those who prefer the standards, topiaries, and
espalier trees and shrubs will carefully clip not only
each unwanted branch but also ALL suckers other than the MAIN trunk from which all shapes and forms
feed and originate.