Removing Running Serviceberry Bushes - Ask Extension
Hello!
I'm wondering if someone might have any advice for removing running serviceberry bushes. I think that's the kind I have, judging by how they'r...
Knowledgebase
Removing Running Serviceberry Bushes #602087
Asked October 11, 2019, 5:18 PM EDT
Hello!
I'm wondering if someone might have any advice for removing running serviceberry bushes. I think that's the kind I have, judging by how they're now invading outside my yard, as well as outside their beds, and I'd like to try getting them out next year. I can figure out how to get the big bushes out, but what about the rhizomes that spread. Thank you so much!
Ramsey County Minnesota
Expert Response
Hello. I'm glad you've turned to AaEx.
I'm not sure you have a serviceberry. Could you send photos of the shrub in profile and a closeup of some twigs with leaves?
Thanks!
Good morning!
Here's a few shots of the bushes. The leaves are starting to turn, but hopefully they're still identifiable.
Here's a few shots of the bushes. The leaves are starting to turn, but hopefully they're still identifiable.
Hello,
You may have a variety of serviceberry that suckers prolifically. I cannot tell which you have by the photos unfortunately - I simply wanted to assure myself it is a serviceberry because you wouldn't believe the number of inquirers we get who really don't know what they've got.
Anyway, the only suggestion I've got is to prune the roots at the border of the area within which you will allow suckers to appear (not too close to the shrub or you'll hurt it too much.) Then, of course, you'll need to dig out all the suckered strays. Root pruning is a process of slicing directly down into the soil with a sharp shovel to cut roots. Slice down as deeply as you can. You may find some roots too large and resistant to slicing with a shovel so I suggest using a saw you're okay with using in soil. I've had to do that with the stubborn roots of an hydrangea.
If you have a number of older stems within the shrub proper, I recommend a three or four year process of removing 1/3 to 1/4 of the largest stems within each shrub down to the ground (usually they're in the center of each shrub) in early spring (it maybe only one stem the first year). By clearing out the older stems, the shrub may be encouraged to start new suckers within the shrub making it more bushy and sort of diverting its attention to spreading outward. This is called rejuvenation pruning. It is best done in late winter or early spring and repeated for each 1/3 to 1/4 of the stems each year at the same time for three or four years (after which it's up to your discretion when to do a centralized pruning). You could start next spring.
You could do the root pruning this fall then take your time digging out the outliers. More than likely they'll have their own roots and will not die just because they've been cut off from the main plant. Then, water your shrubs until the ground freezes which could be as late as late December. They should receive an inch of water per week whether mother nature provides or not. Restart the watering in the spring when the ground thaws so that the shrubs will grow new roots within the pruning area. I've used a collapsible hose that I can drain out when I need to water a plant in November and December; that way it doesn't create a plug of ice that prevents you from watering the next time.
Finally, I recommend in the future you keep an eye on those suckers that escape the area to pull and cut them before they get out of hand. It does seem like a lot of work but maybe a beautiful serviceberry shrub is worth it for you and the birds.
Good-luck!
Wow.
Thanks for such a thoughtful reply. It was darker this morning so I couldn't get a good shot of the obnoxious amount of suckers growing around these things.
I know these are supposed to be great bushes but I actually hate them. They were about 15 feet tall when we bought our house last year. What you see is actually after significant pruning and suckering. I would spend an hour cutting suckers this summer and a week later, there would just be 300 more. Also, there's 12 of these things lining my front steps. I'm going to pull them all out next year so what I'm really looking for is advice on how to eliminate all of these suckers one the bushes are out. Ideally, I'd like to avoid using chemicals, but I'm not sure if I can in this case. So any advice you could offer on this would be greatly appreciated. Thank you!
Thanks for such a thoughtful reply. It was darker this morning so I couldn't get a good shot of the obnoxious amount of suckers growing around these things.
I know these are supposed to be great bushes but I actually hate them. They were about 15 feet tall when we bought our house last year. What you see is actually after significant pruning and suckering. I would spend an hour cutting suckers this summer and a week later, there would just be 300 more. Also, there's 12 of these things lining my front steps. I'm going to pull them all out next year so what I'm really looking for is advice on how to eliminate all of these suckers one the bushes are out. Ideally, I'd like to avoid using chemicals, but I'm not sure if I can in this case. So any advice you could offer on this would be greatly appreciated. Thank you!
Hello,
Sorry, I really didn't read the entire initial question again and got ahead of myself there. Other than digging them out it'll have to be the use of an herbicide like glyphosate. Now would be an ideal time because the shrubs are taking in the energy from the remaining leaves to store for next year and they'll take that herbicide right to the roots. There are fewer beneficial insects around at this time and there are no flowers on the shrubs to attract them making that another reason why this is a good time.
I recommend doing what we do to kill buckthorn, cut the shrub to about an inch or two from the ground and paint the stumps with glyphosate especially around the outer rim of each stem. The shrub will take that down to the roots to kill them. I'm not sure how many of the stems you need to do this to but I'd make sure to get several on each shrub. Don't root prune anything because the glyphosate should have an effect on the suckers as well. Also, if you cut them all down now, you'll stop the photosynthesis process making it more difficult for the shrub to store extra energy. And don't water at all.
One more thing, the glyphosate may not work in the spring because the sap will be running upwards and push the herbicide right out. You would need to wait until late June or early July for the glyphosate to be really effective.
Good-luck!
Awesome,
That's super helpful.
When you say 'paint', do you mean actually use a brush to apply the glyphosate?
And do I need some sort of extra-strength glyphosate because they're bushes?
Last question (I promise), if I cut them and treat them now, can I wait to dig them out until the spring, or would they need to come out before then?
Thanks for answering my questions, my crazy yard is a jungle and you guys are helping me turn it back into something beautiful, a piece at a time!
That's super helpful.
When you say 'paint', do you mean actually use a brush to apply the glyphosate?
And do I need some sort of extra-strength glyphosate because they're bushes?
Last question (I promise), if I cut them and treat them now, can I wait to dig them out until the spring, or would they need to come out before then?
Thanks for answering my questions, my crazy yard is a jungle and you guys are helping me turn it back into something beautiful, a piece at a time!
Hello,
Yes, a paint brush. I've used bingo daubers and simply pressed the stuff out around the outer circumference of the cut stem where the cambium is. You could use the glyphosate that requires dilution and dilute to whatever strength you want. Please use protection.*
You can wait until spring to do the digging. That way you can check to see if they have succumbed.
* Important: When considering using a pesticide (herbicide specifically in your case), we recommend reading the label in the store before buying because the label will tell you if it's the correct product for the issue you're having. It also gives important information on safe usage and correct timing of application so that the product is not misued or wasted.
Best of luck!Thanks for all your help!
