Suckers and Planting at Base of Bradford Pear Trees - Ask Extension
Hello! I have five bradford pear trees in my front yard and have always fought with suckers and weeds. Two questions. First, is there a suggested way ...
Knowledgebase
Suckers and Planting at Base of Bradford Pear Trees #932691
Asked May 23, 2026, 6:15 PM EDT
Hello! I have five bradford pear trees in my front yard and have always fought with suckers and weeds. Two questions. First, is there a suggested way to get rid of or limit the growth of suckers? I assume that there is no way to prevent these for good, but happy to hear any other suggestions! Second, are there any perennials that I could plant at the base of these trees that may help to choke out some of the weeds? I love hostas, but I'm not sure how close to the tree that anything can be planted. Lastly, I have several other questions related to a range of different plants in my yard (my house used to be owned by a landscaper and it's a ton to keep up!). Is it best to submit these as individual questions based on plant type/topic OR should could I submit several together at one time? Thank you in advance for your help!
Wayne County Michigan
Expert Response
Hello
Plant under the tree with something such as low growing evergreen shrubs, hostas, creeping phlox, creeping thyme, for example. Small plants are best to transplant so you do not have to dig deep or large holes to plant in. Keep all plantings at least a foot away from the trunk. healthiest for the tree is to remove all plants out to the drip line and put down 3 inches deep of mulch, topping up the mulch as it breaks down season to season. Do not pile mulch against the trunk; taper its thickness as you get close to the bark.
Bradford pear is a short-lived tree due to its tendency to have a weak branching habit, and so they split or break under heavy snow, ice storms, wind storms. Yours appear to be fairly young so, you could have many years yet before they have that issue.
https://extension.psu.edu/underplanting-trees-respect-the-roots
Please submit separate questions for each type plant and for each different issue.( lawns, vegetables, flowers, trees, shrubs, insect pests, wildlife issues). Please do not “string” several questions together into one, even if they are for the same type plant. You may include pictures ( each picture must be 8 mb or smaller) and you can attach 3 pictures each time you enter or update your question).
We need separate questions because there are about 40 different experts, each group of experts having different specialties. We also need to keep individual counts of questions by topic throughout the season for MSU administrators to properly support the platform, and help ensure its continuation.
Plant under the tree with something such as low growing evergreen shrubs, hostas, creeping phlox, creeping thyme, for example. Small plants are best to transplant so you do not have to dig deep or large holes to plant in. Keep all plantings at least a foot away from the trunk. healthiest for the tree is to remove all plants out to the drip line and put down 3 inches deep of mulch, topping up the mulch as it breaks down season to season. Do not pile mulch against the trunk; taper its thickness as you get close to the bark.
Bradford pear is a short-lived tree due to its tendency to have a weak branching habit, and so they split or break under heavy snow, ice storms, wind storms. Yours appear to be fairly young so, you could have many years yet before they have that issue.
https://extension.psu.edu/underplanting-trees-respect-the-roots
Please submit separate questions for each type plant and for each different issue.( lawns, vegetables, flowers, trees, shrubs, insect pests, wildlife issues). Please do not “string” several questions together into one, even if they are for the same type plant. You may include pictures ( each picture must be 8 mb or smaller) and you can attach 3 pictures each time you enter or update your question).
We need separate questions because there are about 40 different experts, each group of experts having different specialties. We also need to keep individual counts of questions by topic throughout the season for MSU administrators to properly support the platform, and help ensure its continuation.
Sorry, forgot to include the information about suckers on trees. There is no way to permanently stop suckers. However, be sure you water your trees deeply during droughts( more than 10-14 days with no rain). Your lawn sprinklers are not enough for trees. Use a soaker hose around the root zone or a sprinkler head set to very low and move it around the perimeter every 20-30 minutes. Do not water to the point of puddling on the surface.
I mention watering because it is the number one stressor of trees, and stressed trees can tend to sucker more than they would when not stressed.
Here is a bulletin that describes suckering and mentions the use of a growth regulator product to reduce suckering, which can help but will not completely stop suckering. Please, always read and follow all label precautions and directions on any garden product you use.
https://blogs.k-state.edu/wildwestdistrict/2025/07/09/controlling-sucker-tree-sprouts/
I mention watering because it is the number one stressor of trees, and stressed trees can tend to sucker more than they would when not stressed.
Here is a bulletin that describes suckering and mentions the use of a growth regulator product to reduce suckering, which can help but will not completely stop suckering. Please, always read and follow all label precautions and directions on any garden product you use.
https://blogs.k-state.edu/wildwestdistrict/2025/07/09/controlling-sucker-tree-sprouts/
