Is my tree in distress? What should I do?
Question:I have a flowering tree (cherry, maybe) that has started growing shoots at its base. They are now a few feet tall. We've heard that this is a sign of distress. The tree is in a flower garden. Should we cut the shoots down? Or, do we need to transplant it? We don't want it to look like a bush.
Answers:
It sounds as though your tree is grafted and the portion the top was grafted to is sprouting. Either that our the tree has been injured by a weed eater or mower and is sprouting due to injury.
Cut the shoots down and keep your tree fertilized and pest free.
The fact that you mentioned transplanting it makes me wonder how old it is. If you bought it this year, take it back to the nursery you purchased it from, or at the very least take a picture of the tree and show them. They can be of more help to you than anyone here...
though I do hope this helps. :)
There is nothing wrong with your tree. These are called suckers and can be cut off flush to the ground. If they come back simply cut them off again. It is very happy so please do not move it.
No-that's not a sign of distress, that's a sign that your tree is reproducing and that's actually a really good thing. You can dig up these shoots and replant them and they will make a new tree. The ones you don't want, just keep cutting them down.
I have a plum tree which flowers and fruits and does the same thing. I gave my mom about a dozen shoots that I dug up two years ago and the little trees are now nearly 7 feet tall.
Just to be safe I'd chop it down.
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