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How do I prune cherry tree suckers? #174482

Asked April 11, 2014, 1:11 PM EDT

How do I deal with all the suckers surrounding our cherry tree? Will I harm the tree if I cut them all back/remove them? They form a circular maze of roots and stems extending 2 to 3 feet out from the tree trunk. We removed a thick layer of mulch and now want to re-mulch but with only 2 inches so all these roots and suckers would no longer be submerged.

Deschutes County Oregon

Expert Response

Hi,
You can go ahead and prune back/remove the suckers all the way to the point of origin. This should not affect the overall health of the tree. Prunus are known for suckering so it will likely continue to some degree.

Thanks,  Amy Jo

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