Water Shoots and Suckers?

Until recently, terms like “water shoots” and “suckers” were unfamiliar to me. It wasn’t until I stumbled upon the insightful content of a YouTuber named Garden Fundamentals that these concepts started to make sense.

In his pruning videos, Garden Fundamentals shed light on the world of water shoots—rapidly emerging branches from a tree or another branch. On the other hand, the term “suckers” initially sparked a chuckle due to its amusing name. However, Garden Fundamentals, with the help of illustrations, clarified that suckers are shoots arising from the root network of a main tree, literally sapping away energy from the host.

As I inspected our trees and shrubs for dead and sick branches in the last few days, I couldn’t help but notice the emergence of new growth around the larger trees in our garden. Initially, I viewed this as a positive sign of natural growth. However, after delving into Garden Fundamentals’ videos and learning about the implications of suckers, I realized that our garden might be harboring more of these than I initially thought.

This revelation aligns with the historical neglect our garden has endured over the decades. While the annual gardener may have pruned the trees and shrubs, it seems that suckers were not consistently removed. Some may have been left to grow unchecked, making it challenging to distinguish between suckers and main trees or shrubs.

Luckily, with the growing season behind us, I have the opportunity to prepare and rejuvenate the garden for spring. Armed with newfound knowledge, I’m ready to tackle the challenge of managing water shoots and suckers to ensure a healthier and more vibrant garden.

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