Question From: C. Lewis - Whitesville, New York, United States
Q: We have a young shademaster tree. Young branches are growin from the trunk. Can we just cut them off!
A: I assume you are talking about branches that grow from the base of tree that are called suckers. It is wise to remove them as soon as possible. When very young and still green they can and should be pulled off by hand. When they have formed bark cut them off with a sharp bypass pruner or lopper as close to the trunk as possible. Allow the wounds to heal by themselves. Trees usually sucker when under stress. Watering in hot dry weather may help the issue. Best And Happy Yardening, Nancy
