Destroyed backyard - Ask Extension
Help! My backyard was put in 7 yrs ago in Aug and was almost perfect. Within the last 4 months it has totally ruined. I am being over run by what I be...
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Destroyed backyard #878459
Asked July 23, 2024, 3:53 PM EDT
Help! My backyard was put in 7 yrs ago in Aug and was almost perfect. Within the last 4 months it has totally ruined. I am being over run by what I believe are baby aspens. I water as often as I am allowed. I’ve done everything I know to do. I’ve pulled them up only to have them return. I’m at my wits end.
Denver County Colorado
Expert Response
Unfortunately, dealing with aspen suckers in the lawn can be quite challenging and as you've already experienced, require diligent management over time.
From the picture you sent, it appears there are aspen trees in both your yard and your neighbor's yard. The trees in your neighbor's yard do not appear to be as healthy as yours. As Aspens decline, they often send out suckers and these suckers are difficult to manage. While suckers could be coming from either your trees or your neighbors, it's possible the suckers are coming from their trees if they are in decline and that's why you are seeing them for the first time after seven years.
One management technique is to keep them mowed. This will hopefully remove the leaves and keep them from photosynthesizing so they don't continue to grow.
This Denver Gardeners blog post has additional recommendations that involve both pulling young suckers and chemical controls:
https://denvergardeners.wordpress.com/2015/07/07/aspen-suckers-persistence-pays/
Aspens are more susceptible to disease and decline at lower elevations and suckering is natural process for them. Therefore growing them near lawns along the front range can be tricky.
Here are some recommendations for keeping aspen trees healthy: https://csfs.colostate.edu/forest-management/common-forest-insects-diseases/common-insects-diseases-of-aspen/
It may be worthwhile to chat with the neighbor and see if they are also dealing with suckers. If your relationship is friendly enough, you can embark on healthy tree management and sucker eradication together since part of the issue may not be entirely in your hands.
From the picture you sent, it appears there are aspen trees in both your yard and your neighbor's yard. The trees in your neighbor's yard do not appear to be as healthy as yours. As Aspens decline, they often send out suckers and these suckers are difficult to manage. While suckers could be coming from either your trees or your neighbors, it's possible the suckers are coming from their trees if they are in decline and that's why you are seeing them for the first time after seven years.
One management technique is to keep them mowed. This will hopefully remove the leaves and keep them from photosynthesizing so they don't continue to grow.
This Denver Gardeners blog post has additional recommendations that involve both pulling young suckers and chemical controls:
https://denvergardeners.wordpress.com/2015/07/07/aspen-suckers-persistence-pays/
Aspens are more susceptible to disease and decline at lower elevations and suckering is natural process for them. Therefore growing them near lawns along the front range can be tricky.
Here are some recommendations for keeping aspen trees healthy: https://csfs.colostate.edu/forest-management/common-forest-insects-diseases/common-insects-diseases-of-aspen/
It may be worthwhile to chat with the neighbor and see if they are also dealing with suckers. If your relationship is friendly enough, you can embark on healthy tree management and sucker eradication together since part of the issue may not be entirely in your hands.
