Removing Tree Suckers and Water Sprouts

title: "Removing Tree Suckers and Water Sprouts"

Two types of fast-growing, unwanted shoots appear on trees: suckers from the roots, and water sprouts from the trunk or scaffold branches. They're often confused but have different origins and different implications for tree health.

Getting rid of them correctly matters. Cutting them badly causes more regrowth, not less. And on grafted trees, ignoring suckers from below the graft union can eventually take over the tree entirely.

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Table of Contents

1. Suckers vs. Water Sprouts: What's the Difference?
2. Why Trees Produce Suckers and Sprouts
3. How to Remove Suckers Correctly
4. How to Remove Water Sprouts
5. Grafted Trees: Why Suckers Are Especially Problematic
6. Chemical Suppression Options
7. Frequently Asked Questions

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