"Sucker" growing out of root ball, should we keep it? - Ask Extension
We have a tree we purchased from a commercial tree farm that died the year after we bought it. I think there was a cold shock during the spring that ...
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"Sucker" growing out of root ball, should we keep it? #869552
Asked May 21, 2024, 10:51 PM EDT
We have a tree we purchased from a commercial tree farm that died the year after we bought it. I think there was a cold shock during the spring that wound up killing it but now we have sprouts coming up out of the root ball. My question is if one of those sprouts would be a viable replacement for the tree that died or should we just dig up the tree and start over? I have added pictures of the dead box elder maple and the new spouts coming up from the ground. We are just trying to figure out what we should do next. Thank You!
Larimer County Colorado
Expert Response
Hi Dan,
This looks like a type of maple - and the suckering leaves look like boxelder? Was it a Sensation boxelder?
No, it's not a good idea to keep the suckers. These will come from the root stock of the tree, which is grafted to the scion (the named (Sensation), top part). Since boxelder can be incredibly weedy (Sensation is a male clone, thus no seeds), you could have long-term issues in the future.
Plus, suckers are not structurally sound or well attached, so they are more likely to break in storms.
It's best to remove the tree and start over. If possible, buy a smaller tree, which can establish more quickly and be easier to plant and maintain when young.
This looks like a type of maple - and the suckering leaves look like boxelder? Was it a Sensation boxelder?
No, it's not a good idea to keep the suckers. These will come from the root stock of the tree, which is grafted to the scion (the named (Sensation), top part). Since boxelder can be incredibly weedy (Sensation is a male clone, thus no seeds), you could have long-term issues in the future.
Plus, suckers are not structurally sound or well attached, so they are more likely to break in storms.
It's best to remove the tree and start over. If possible, buy a smaller tree, which can establish more quickly and be easier to plant and maintain when young.
Thank you! This was very helpful!
