Will the small maple tree that sprouted from the base of my mature maple tree hurt the mature tree?

Question

I have a maple tree that sprouted a baby that is growing right out of the base of my mature maple tree. Will either one of the trees be hurt by this and if so what should I do??? I ask because someone told me that it could kill the large maple tree.

Thanks!

Answer 1

It's called a sucker and while it certainly won't kill the large tree, it will use water and nutrients the big tree needs as well as being unsightly.  I would trim it off.

Answer 2

If it is all the same tree then it won't hurt it. But it will end up looking kinda odd. If it is a huge tree with a seed that sprouted underneath it then the baby tree will never do very well in the shade and dry dirt under the big tree.

Answer 3

Most fancy varieties of maples are grafted.  The rootstock is usually a very robust variety of maple.  If this sucker has a different leaf colour or shape to the top tree it is probably this different robust variety.  if this is the case and you let it grow it will eventually take over and either stunt or kill the grafted variety that is not as strong.

If you think it is a rootstock sucker just uncover where the sucker comes from the stem (if buried) and put back the sucker along the stem it is growing from don't worry if you loose a bit of bark.  If you just cut off all the buds around the wound will start to grow and come backand replace the original sucker.  Even with this method you may need to do it a few years running till the suckers stop growing.

If it is just a sucker from the original tree it will just grow up the same as the original and you will have a two trunk tree, this usually isn't attractive.  Either way not a big problem.

Answer 4

I don't think it will kill your mature tree.  It may compromise your mature tree by crowding it, needing additional space for roots and, of course, more h2o.  If it were my tree, and I didn't want another maple tree, I would trim the baby from the base.