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Sheila Hendrick

sheila_hendrick_06sheila_hendrick_06 Posts: 8
in Problem solving
I live in an area where there is sandstone about 2/3foot under the surface of the gardens. My garden is becoming overrun with suckers from surrounding neighbours trees. They are taking over the borders like triffids. I’m 60 years old and thanks to medical issues, not as strong as I used to be. Apart from cutting them off at the base, is there any other way of getting rid of them?  I’ve considered blowing my garden up but don’t think my insurers would be happy, not to mention the neighbours ... 😂. Looking forward to some helpful advice. Thanks. 
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  • tessagardenbarmytessagardenbarmy Posts: 346
    This is a difficult one Shelia as to be effective suckers have to be removed as close to the parent tree as possible so really your neighbours should help you tackle them. If you use a strong chemical like a brushwood or stump killer it could go back and kill the tree. You can sever the suckers from the root first then use the chemical if you can't get the suckers out but it's very strong so don't get it on any other plants.
    All I can suggest is talking to the neighbours. Good luck
  • sheila_hendrick_06sheila_hendrick_06 Posts: 8
    Thank you. I had a suspicion it would be a big problem. Looks like I’ll just have to go on cutting them out. Sadly my neighbours are less than helpful. 
  • Mary370Mary370 Posts: 2,003
    If it was me, and my property, I would use one of the paint on poisons, especially if the neighbours are less than helpful.
  • sheila_hendrick_06sheila_hendrick_06 Posts: 8
    Thank you. I’ll definitely look into that 😊
  • FairygirlFairygirl Posts: 55,117
    Hi Sheila - what kind of trees are they? 
    It's a place where beautiful isn't enough of a word....



    I live in west central Scotland - not where that photo is...
  • sheila_hendrick_06sheila_hendrick_06 Posts: 8
    One of them is a Srinagar I think. The other is one I don’t know. It has quite small leaves and white blossom in early spring. 
  • FairygirlFairygirl Posts: 55,117
    I don't know what that is - a Srinigar. Is that  a typo?
    The other sounds like it could possibly be a Cotoneaster, but it's difficult without a photo or more info. They don't have suckers but can spread quite readily and also seed regularly, especially when birds eat the berries and the seeds pass through them into the ground.
    Do you have a lot of other planting that they're in amongst? Would it be possible to get someone in to dig down and put a vertical barrier of some kind in place? Paving slabs on their edge can be utilised that way. 
    Oh - did you mean Syringa - Lilac? They can sucker a bit.
    It's a place where beautiful isn't enough of a word....



    I live in west central Scotland - not where that photo is...
  • sheila_hendrick_06sheila_hendrick_06 Posts: 8
    It may be. It has very sweet scented, spire like flowers in spring. Forgive me if I’m wrong but I thought a cotoneaster was a shrub, not a tree?  This is definitely a tree. 
  • AnniDAnniD Posts: 12,585
    sheila_hendrick_06 said:
    One of them is a Srinagar I think. The other is one I don’t know. It has quite small leaves and wwhite blossom in early spring. 
    I did think from that description it is possibly amelanchier,  but l don't think they sucker. Possibly a cherry tree of some kind. Could you get a photo Sheila ?
  • FairygirlFairygirl Posts: 55,117
    The 'small leaves ' doesn't fit for Amelanchier though - and they don't sucker. Likewise - foliage on cherries Anni, although it's a good suggestion. It's difficult without a photo though, isn't it! 
    I couldn't think of anything else fitting that description [although I'm sure someone else will be able to offer an idea or two] and some Cotoneasters do become tree like. Is it possibly hedging tahat's gone a bit rampant rather than a tree? Hawthorns and Blackthorns can be both, and Blackthorn suckers. It responds to  a bit of weedkiller though. 
    It's a place where beautiful isn't enough of a word....



    I live in west central Scotland - not where that photo is...
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