How to get rid of suckers and roots - Ask Extension
We have a large tree in the front yard. It’s roots are covered in suckers. These routes extends rather yard under our landscape bed and likely under...
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How to get rid of suckers and roots #471373
Asked July 18, 2018, 10:06 AM EDT
We have a large tree in the front yard. It’s roots are covered in suckers. These routes extends rather yard under our landscape bed and likely under our foundation. We are concerned with the roots interfering with our septic field and the foundation.
If we cut down the tree will that illuminate the problem? If not, what else needs to be done?
Livingston County Michigan
Expert Response
Greetings, It appears as if the tree has had a grade change (soil added to the base of the tree) as it shows no evidence of having a normal "root flare" at the base. This is never desirable for the long-term health of the tree and could be what has triggered the suckers at its base. (are you sure these are suckers? the tree looks like it might be a cherry--and these plants at the base don't look like cherry. ) Either way, if you are concerned with this tree interfering with your septic field, then the choice is yours, but yes, you could cut it down and eliminate the concern. Any tree close enough to a septic field could potentially interfere with a drain field/septic.
