Sugar maple invasion


  #1  
Old 08-08-06, 12:27 PM
J
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Sugar maple invasion

I've just read several similar posts looking for answers, but one thing in our situation seems different, so I need advice. There's a sugar maple in a corner of our front yard with lots of roots close to the ground. There are two "new" trees, suddenly 5-6 feet tall, one on our property (which we'll remove) and one adjacent to the (not very friendly) neighbor's driveway (not our property). On our yard are 50 or 60 tiny 4-8 inch mini-trees coming out of the exposed root (are these suckers?). They seem to be everywhere. So here are my questions: can we use the painted-on brush remover suggested elsewhere on the forum on the stump of the 6-foot tree after we cut it down? And second, how can we kill all the tiny little trees that are connected to the original tree's roots without poisoning the original tree? Thanks.
 
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Old 08-09-06, 09:21 AM
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Hi Johannamarie,

On our yard are 50 or 60 tiny 4-8 inch mini-trees coming out of the exposed root (are these suckers?). They seem to be everywhere.
If they are coming out of the exposed root then they are suckers. If this is a maple then the tree is stressed and that is probably why it's sending out the suckers.

...can we use the painted-on brush remover suggested elsewhere on the forum on the stump of the 6-foot tree after we cut it down?
Yes, or you may be able to just dig out the stump of such a small tree. Another option would be to drill deep holes into the stump. Fill holes or cuts with sugar, molasses, syrup, old jellies, jams, candies, buttermilk, or fertilizer of any kind. The idea is to get decomposition started. Now wet it down so it's moist and apply a thick layer of mulch.

how can we kill all the tiny little trees that are connected to the original tree's roots without poisoning the original tree?
Most suckers on trees come up around the base of the tree.
http://www.coopext.colostate.edu/4DM...es/sucker2.jpg

There's also a product called Sucker Stoper. See question #2 here.
http://cetulare.ucdavis.edu/mg/articles/n030702q.htm
http://www.montereylawngarden.com/faqs/suckerstopper/
http://www.montereylawngarden.com/pdf/suckstopper.pdf

You might also find this helpful.
http://www.treesaregood.com/treecare/mulching.aspx

Newt
 
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Old 08-11-06, 01:28 PM
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Many thanks

I appreciate your reply, Newt. That is exactly what I needed to know. Thank you very much.
 
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Old 08-11-06, 03:48 PM
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You are so very welcome! I'm glad that was helpful.

Newt
 
  #5  
Old 08-12-06, 10:08 AM
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Have you considered transplanting the sugar maple to a better area of your yard or even giving it away? I don't know about your area, but here in the northeast sugar maples are one of mother nature's most beautiful creations, the primary source of the awesome colors displays in the fall and an excellent shade tree in the summer. .
 
 

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