Help?! Tree root shoots!?
Question:We bought this house, with a small, lovely tree in front (not sure what it is?). That was two years ago.
Now, the tree is still lovely, but roots are spreading, shooting up all these sprouts, & I don't know how to get rid of them? They are taking over the flower bed!!
Any suggestions?!
Answers:
I am wondering if your "tree" might actually be something like a lilac? Lilacs send out runners like you are describing, as do several other shrubs. There are a couple of options, none of them real easy. I would need to know what type of shrub or tree it is before I would give a recommendation. Can you take a picture and post it?
One possibility is to cut them down, and place a weed barrier around the tree. (heavy duty stuff). However, that would prevent anything else from growing in that area too. Also, depending on what it is, it may just send it's runners out past the barrier.
Another option is a product called Brush-Be-Gone. It's a brush and sapling killer. If you use it, BE CAREFUL, it will kill anything that you spray. Once again, without knowing what the tree is, I would hesitate. Are the sprouts actually attached to the main tree's roots, or not? If they are attached, this spray may damage your tree also.
Your other option is to move the tree (wait until fall) out of your flower bed, and into it's own little area where you won't mind the runners, or where your lawn mower will cut them down each week.
Good luck, email me if you want, I may be able to help further if I can get the tree's identity...
I have a couple of beautiful serviceberry trees in the front of my house that do this every year. Pull up on the sprouts and using a pair of pruning shears, lop off the sprout as close to the ground as you can. If your tree is like my serviceberry trees are, you too, will probably need to do this every year.
*~Enjoy~*
Well there 's not quite enough information to say for sure,
It's a small tree,the roots evidently run very shallow, which could be many types of tree's, young oaks are notorious.
for root systems.I If it not too late, move the tree. Possible to move the flower bed? If not "Good-Bye" tree and plant another out and away from the "pretty flowerbed" as I am
sure it is! Hope this helps...
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