Fruit tree suckers - Ask Extension
Hello, I have 6 flowering crabapple trees, approximately 25 years old. They have been reasonably, regularly pruned. In the past several years, the s...
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Fruit tree suckers #867794
Asked May 09, 2024, 5:13 PM EDT
Hello, I have 6 flowering crabapple trees, approximately 25 years old. They have been reasonably, regularly pruned. In the past several years, the suckers are getting out control, and I have tried several techniques. Do you have any suggestions that might work? Or do you know a company that might come out and help me get these under control?
Also, is boiling water a good idea or not?
I appreciate any insight you might have.
Thank you,
Sherri
Franklin County Ohio
Expert Response
Hi,
I'm sending links to a few good articles that discuss remediation of suckering on crabapples. Unfortunately, as they both say, crabapples are prone to suckering.
I can't find any articles that recommend using boiling water to control suckers. That might be because it would also damage the roots of the tree you want to keep.
https://yardandgarden.extension.iastate.edu/how-to/managing-suckers-fruit-ornamental-and-shade-trees
https://hyg.ipm.illinois.edu/article.php?id=993
I've read several other articles from other universities that pretty much concur with what those two articles say. I know it's a lot of work. Let me know if you have any more questions.
I'm sending links to a few good articles that discuss remediation of suckering on crabapples. Unfortunately, as they both say, crabapples are prone to suckering.
I can't find any articles that recommend using boiling water to control suckers. That might be because it would also damage the roots of the tree you want to keep.
https://yardandgarden.extension.iastate.edu/how-to/managing-suckers-fruit-ornamental-and-shade-trees
https://hyg.ipm.illinois.edu/article.php?id=993
I've read several other articles from other universities that pretty much concur with what those two articles say. I know it's a lot of work. Let me know if you have any more questions.
I forgot your second question about hiring a company. I can't recommend a specific company but you could hire a certified arborist to do the work. They couldn't stop them from continuing to pop up but they could remove them.
https://www.isa-arbor.com/Credentials/Types-of-Credentials/ISA-Certified-Arborist
https://www.isa-arbor.com/Credentials/Types-of-Credentials/ISA-Certified-Arborist
