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Staghorn Sumac head scratch drive wonk

HallapenoHallapeno Posts: 5
in Problem solving
Hi all.
This feels very grown up for me- asking advice about a tree? 3 years ago I wouldn't have dreamt I'd ever own a tree, now I'm growing things and worrying about plants and tree's roots?

Sorry, the first reason why I'm here:-

I now am the proud owner of, what I believe to be a Rhus Typhina. It annoys the neighbours with it's fruits and over hanging branches their side so as soon as we moved in..... yes you guessed it, we cut some branches off. Since then we have had the one sucker keep appearing, not really a problem. But also the roots are pushing up the block paving in the drive.
I've trawled google and only get the same answers- avoid touching branches at all costs! Nothing about roots.
Can I do anything about the roots?

Also it has another branch pushing against a cap stone on our wall. When the wind blows the tree, it nearly pushes off the stone. Fearing cutting any more of the branches, can I "train" that branch.
I really don't want to get rid of this tree. I looks amazing and is, apparently a nightmare to get rid of anyway but I really can't use where the root are under the drive.

Any suggestions would be greatly appreciated.
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Posts

  • LoxleyLoxley Posts: 5,698
    They are stunning trees. Could you rig up a post to hold the branch off the cap stone? Re the roots, you are condemned to play whack a mole cutting off suckers for imperpetuity. Consider a side business digging them up to pot on and sell on eBay
    "What is hateful to you, do not do to your neighbour". 
  • ObelixxObelixx Posts: 30,090
    These trees are notorious for suckering and they also take revenge if you prune the branches - more suckering.   You can either just cut them off as they appear or, as Loxley suggest, dig them up with some root attached, pot them and sell them of give them away.
    Vendée - 20kms from Atlantic coast.
    "The price good men (and women) pay for indifference to public affairs is to be ruled by evil men (and women)."
    Plato
  • didywdidyw Posts: 3,573
    They are such lovely trees.  We had one in our old garden but were condemned to digging up suckers wherever they appeared but didn't mind as we loved the tree.  Sorry can't help with the roots pushing up your block paving - could you think laterally and maybe take out that piece of paving, cut out as much of the root as you can, and put a nice pot there instead?  Or simply then just replace the paving.
    That said - I chose not to have one in our current garden.
    Gardening in East Suffolk on dry sandy soil.
  • HallapenoHallapeno Posts: 5
    Loxley said:
    They are stunning trees. Could you rig up a post to hold the branch off the cap stone?
    Thank you Loxley. The issue with a post is the offending branch is about 8ft up. I could tye it to itself if that's ok to do.

    Loxley said:
    Re the roots, you are condemned to play whack a mole cutting off suckers for imperpetuity. Consider a side business digging them up to pot on and sell on eBay
    I like the image that brings to mind and it is spot on. I'll fish the suckers out of the bin as soon as I get home to pot up.
    Obelixx said:
    These trees are notorious for suckering and they also take revenge if you prune the branches - more suckering.   You can either just cut them off as they appear or, as Loxley suggest, dig them up with some root attached, pot them and sell them of give them away.
    Hi Obelixx. Thanks.
    Will it stab me in the back for cutting out lengths of root like if I prune it?
    didyw said:
    They are such lovely trees.  We had one in our old garden but were condemned to digging up suckers wherever they appeared but didn't mind as we loved the tree.  Sorry can't help with the roots pushing up your block paving - could you think laterally and maybe take out that piece of paving, cut out as much of the root as you can, and put a nice pot there instead?  Or simply then just replace the paving.
    That said - I chose not to have one in our current garden.
    Hi didyw. Cheers.
    I can deal with the amount of suckers we currently get, but if they start turning into too many I will look back and think- should have done something earlier.


    Can I post pictures in here without hosting them etc? They speak a thousand word so I hear.

    Thank you all for your time.
  • ObelixxObelixx Posts: 30,090
    To post photos, click on the postcard icon above the reply box and choose an image form your device.  Just make sure it's reduced to less than 2mb or it won't load.
    Vendée - 20kms from Atlantic coast.
    "The price good men (and women) pay for indifference to public affairs is to be ruled by evil men (and women)."
    Plato
  • Blue OnionBlue Onion Posts: 2,995
    I get suckers from mine.. I just use a shovel at an angle down through the soil next to them to sever them off below ground.  Easier than weeding.. so not that much of a job in exchange for such a beautiful tree.  
    Utah, USA.
  • HallapenoHallapeno Posts: 5
    Hi all. Sorry it’s been a while, I got a bit stuck with resizing images. I’ve learned a bit about this tree and what it does, hopefully the pics tell a better story than I can. I opted for the “just chop the roots” equivalent but with block paving in the way. Anyone that reads this:- do not do that unless the sucker is near the tree and you know the root doesn’t go any further. If the the root system goes past the cut sucker, the rest goes into over drive trying to live. 
    Anyway I’ve never seen so many suckers since doing this, it’s pushed up a lot of drive/ block paving.
    The first and last pics are from bout 1. 
    The second is what I’m doing now.

    Sorry, I can’t organise them. 

  • Blue OnionBlue Onion Posts: 2,995
    Wow!  What a pain!  A good warning to others.  
    Utah, USA.
  • ObelixxObelixx Posts: 30,090
    I think, in that situation, I would spray any emerging leaf once it's big enough to absorb a systemic poison and take it down to the roots.   You may need to do it often until the roots take the hint and die out but it has to be easier than lifting blocks, digging bits out and waiting for the next bit of root to erupt.
    Vendée - 20kms from Atlantic coast.
    "The price good men (and women) pay for indifference to public affairs is to be ruled by evil men (and women)."
    Plato
  • philippasmith2philippasmith2 Posts: 3,742
    It certainly doesn't worry about paving/concrete paths etc.  It will happily trundle along underneath and pop up the minute it finds light.
    In that situation, I'd tend to follow @Obelixx's advice.
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