I have 5 slender-leaf cottonwoods in my yard. Any advice on preventing suckers that come up from the roots?

Question

I have 5 slender-leaf cottonwoods in my yard. Any advice on preventing suckers that come up from the roots?

Answer 1

We have the same situation with "quakies".  We just pull them up when they look like small weeds..don't let them get ahead of you!  You can't really spray them, because the 'spray stuff'  :)   will get into the tree roots and hurt the tree.

Hope this helps  ..  also contact your state or county agriculture people...they know EVERYTHING!

Good luck!

Answer 2

Never have seen a cottonwood that is slender.  The Poplar leaf looks just like the cottonwood and it is slender and very  fast growing.  Sure it isn't a poplar?

Answer 3

Those suckers are just part of the nature of the plant just like my basswood. I just trim them as they start to grow. It seems to be a constant battle but worth it in the end when you see your glorious tree growing. Left to their own resources, none of them will flourish because the young plants will draw moisture and nutrients from the soil.