Advice Please!

[oej2082]

Well, I got the saw out and lopped the intruder off.

 

Now the stump has sprouted 30 shoots. Should I just keep pruning them off or did I not lop enough?

 

Thanks

[peatff]

I'd be tempted to start again with a new tree or something different. Too much of that one has reverted and the sycamore part is much more vigorous.

[agg221]

If you can post up a picture of the cut area, side on to the cut, as that will help give a definite answer as to whether you made the cut at the right point.

 

In general, when you cut bits off a tree it usually reacts by growing vigorously to try to recover. With something like this, the best bet is to rub the shoots out when they start to form. If you can still rub them out (by bending them downwards, so that they pull out at the base, rather than snapping partway up) then do so. If not, cut them right off as short as you can. There will probably be another crop or two to deal with, and then a few more occasionally on an ongoing basis, but it's a 2min job to look it over every now and again and take anything like this off.

 

The tree looks to be fine otherwise, so I wouldn't see the need to replace it if you are happy to do the above.

 

Alec

[Tim Stobart Tree Surgery]

For future reference, the best time to prune Acers is mid winter, though if you see any reverted growth, I's take it out immediately.

[oej2082]

Thanks!

 

I'll try and pick the shoots off.