Agriculture Reference
In-Depth Information
naturalistic plantings. Many species of
Acacia
(Wattle),
Melaleuca
and
Rosa rugosa
respond
and look good with this treatment.
Never
try in-ground root pruning on:
• Poplar,
Populus
species
• Bay trees,
Laurusnobilis
• Elm,
Ulmus
Suckersandhowtodealwiththem
With or without root pruning, suckers occur.
A sucker is a plant part that arises from the
root system often at some distance from the
main trunk. They arise often as a result of
damaged surface roots (usually mower
damage) as a result of digging near the tree or
stressful climatic conditions (see Figure 3.30).
•
Gledistsia
species
• Figs,
Ficus
• Apple,
Malus
• Olive,
Oleaeuropa
•
Robinia
species
• Quince,
Cydonia
species
Some species are more prone to this
behaviour than others (see the list above).
Plants that have been grafted to a rootstock
such as many roses or fruit trees will also
sucker. In their case the growth that arises
from their root system will often look
different to the growth above the graft.
Suckering can be the result of root damage or
of severe stress (drought, lack of nutrients or
• Hawthorn,
Crataegus
species
• Willow,
Salix
species
However, if you are after a thicket/multi-
stemmed landscape look, injuring the larger
surface roots can be very effective. It is a
technique that works well in recreated
(a)
(b)
(c)
Figure 3.30
Suckers can occur away from the trunk. Often the leaves will look different to those on the rest of the tree
above the graft. Scratch the soil away to locate where it is connected to the root (a). Always pull, rip or wrench off the
sucker so that its growth point is removed from the parent root.
NEVER
cut it off as
this will leave plant tissue that will
resprout (b). When the sucker is ripped off it will take the growth point or meristem from which it originated (c). Be
vigilant in spring and autumn and remove the sucker as soon as you notice it. The younger the growth the better.
