A few months ago I talked about planting seeds for fruit trees. Today on social media I saw a recommendation for something you hear about much less frequently. This involves removing the suckers that grow around a fruit tree and transplanting them with a bit of root still attached. Now I won’t lie, this is a perfectly legitimate way to get a tree. That is, if you are not too interested in fruit.
Growing trees from offshoots, also known as suckers, is an easy and natural way to propagate trees. Offshoots are shoots that grow from the tree’s root system underground and emerge near the base of the main tree. With some care and patience, these offshoots can be removed and grown into new trees identical to the parent.
What is an Offshoot?
An offshoot or sucker is a shoot that sprouts from the roots or lower trunk of a parent tree. Offshoots emerge from just under the soil surface within about 3 feet of the main tree trunk. They grow straight upward with just a few leaves at first.
Offshoots form because the parent tree’s roots release hormones that stimulate adventitious bud growth This often happens when the tree is stressed or root damaged Certain tree species, like maples, cherries, apples, and poplars, are more prone to developing offshoots than others.
When to Remove an Offshoot
Early spring, just before new growth starts, is the best time to dig up and remove an offshoot. The offshoot will transplant more successfully while it is still dormant. Ideally choose an offshoot that is at least 1-2 feet tall with some visible root development. Smaller offshoots can be left to grow for another season before removing.
Taking offshoots in early spring gives them the entire growing season to establish roots in their new location before going dormant in winter. Fall is another option, but less ideal because the offshoot has less time to settle in before the cold slows growth.
How to Remove an Offshoot
Removing an offshoot is a simple process, but it’s important to do carefully to avoid damaging the roots. Follow these steps:
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Dig a trench around the offshoot about 6-12 inches away from the stem. Dig deep enough to expose where the roots begin.
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Check if the offshoot has its own roots branching away from the parent tree’s root system. If so, detach it by cleanly cutting these connecting roots.
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If the offshoot does not have defined roots yet, you’ll need to take more of the parent tree’s roots with it. Carefully cut through some of the main roots while leaving as much intact as possible. Try to retain any roots clearly linked to the offshoot.
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Once detached, lift out the offshoot with its roots and soil. Backfill the hole with soil to reduce stress on the parent tree.
Caring for the Offshoot
After removing from the ground, put the offshoot in a container filled with loose, humus-rich soil. Water regularly as it establishes new roots. Once growth resumes, transplant into a larger pot or into the ground.
Select a site with suitable sun, well-draining soil, and enough space. Dig a hole slightly wider and deeper than the root ball. Carefully place the offshoot in the hole with the top of the roots level with ground. Fill in around the offshoot and lightly tamp down the soil. Build a berm to help retain water.
Water thoroughly after planting and apply 2-3 inches of organic mulch. Continue regular watering the first couple growing seasons until fully established. Protect young offshoots from deer, rodents, or livestock with fencing if needed.
Offshoot vs. Root Cutting Propagation
Another technique for propagating trees from roots is taking root cuttings. This involves removing smaller, pencil-sized roots from the parent tree and planting these directly to generate new shoots.
Offshoots differ in that they are above ground shoots already connected to larger roots. Root cuttings must initiate their own shoot growth, making them slower and less reliable. Offshoots give the new plant a head start with existing stem and leaves.
Tips for Success
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Select a healthy parent tree that readily produces offshoots, like poplar or apple. Avoid trees prone to disease.
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Take only 2-3 offshoots per season to avoid over-stressing the parent tree.
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Choose young, small offshoots for best survival rates when transplanting. Large offshoots suffer more root damage.
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Offshoots will be genetically identical clones to the parent. Pick a high quality parent tree.
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This method works for both deciduous and evergreen trees, except pine trees.
The Benefits of Offshoot Propagation
Growing trees from offshoots has many advantages:
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It’s simple and doesn’t require special skills. Just dig up and replant existing shoots.
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Offshoots are free! Take advantage of shoots the tree is already producing.
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You get an exact clone of the parent’s genetics.
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Offshoots establish quicker than seeds or root cuttings.
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No need to wait years for a seedling to mature.
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Easily propagate special tree varieties true-to-type.
Propagating trees from offshoots allows you to effortlessly duplicate landscape trees you love. With proper care in removal and transplanting, offshoots will flourish into full-sized trees. Nurturing offshoots continues the parent tree’s lineage for free.
Fruit Trees Grown from Suckers Won’t Produce the Fruit You Were Expecting
Now I am sure that someone is going to chastise me for being against experimentation, but the bigger reality is that I am against useless experimentation. A quick perusal of reliable information gathered from state Cooperative Extension websites, plant providers, and reputable books will clearly show what the results of the experiment will be: genetic clones of the root the plant came from. Please note that again, the resulting plant will be a clone of the root of the mother plant. This can be very successful if you are trying to grow a wood plant that rarely or never is grafted to a rootstock, particularly shrubs like currants, raspberries, or goji berries. Tree fruits on the other hand are almost always grafted onto roots that are chosen for their qualities as a root rather than their fruit. A few have been noted as having good fruit, but most have already been rejected as a producing crop because they aren’t good to eat.
How to Grow Trees from Suckers
The first step in sucker tree growing is to remove the sucker plant as carefully as possible from the ground. This is sometimes a difficult task due to the suckers proximity to the trunk or other vegetation. Use a sharp, clean hand shovel to dig around the sucker. Check to see if the sucker plant has its own root system. If the plant does have a root system, you are in luck. Simply dig the plant out of the ground and cut it free from the parent plant.
This is a highly non-invasive procedure that causes no harm to the parent plant. If the sucker does not have its own root system, which happens, scrape off some of the bark under the soil line with a clean utility knife. Cover the wound with soil and check each month for root growth. Once roots have established, you can follow the steps above to remove your sucker plant.
Cutting. Grow a tree from a branch
FAQ
Can you grow trees from the little shoots?
You can grow trees from sucker plants, which are just baby trees that grow from horizontal roots of the parent plant. They will grow to maturity if given the right conditions. If you have other places in your landscape where you would like a tree or perhaps a friend would like one, consider preserving your suckers.
How to propagate an offshoot?
Gently cut the offshoot as close from the mother plant as possible, while trying to keep her roots intact. Step 2: place the offshoot with roots in some fresh cutting soil and give your new baby plant some water! You can also put your offshoot in water first before placing it into soil.
Can you cut a branch off a tree and plant it?
- Choose the right branch: Select a young, healthy branch, ideally one that’s less than a year old and about the thickness of a pencil, says Angies List.
- Prepare the cutting: Make a clean cut on the branch, and consider using rooting hormone to encourage root development.
- Rooting method: You can either place the cutting in water or directly in soil.
- Maintain moisture: Keep the soil or water moist to encourage root growth.
- Transplant when rooted: Once roots have developed, transplant the rooted cutting into a larger pot or directly into the ground, according to a YouTube video.
Can you grow a tree from tree cuttings?
Once you have succeeded at rooting tree cuttings in water or soil, you can transplant the young plant to a larger pot or even to a prepared bed. It’s critical to keep the soil moist during the first growing season so that the new tree can develop a strong root system.
How long should a palm offshoot stay on the mother plant?
A palm offshoot should stay on the mother plant for at least one year. Allowing it to stay two to five years is ideal though, as this will allow the palm pup to develop its own healthy root system, which will in turn increase your success rate with transplanting the palm pups. Also, the more pups a palm tree has, the slower the pups will grow.
Why does my Tree shoot all over my yard?
Many species of trees send up root suckers or tree shoots all over the yard in response to stress. Some things that may trigger the tree to start new trees include injury, old age, pests or disease. Other trees simply have an aggressive root system.
How do you separate a pine tree from a parent plant?
When you reach the main root, cut the sucker with a knife to separate it from the parent plant, advises the Royal Horticultural Society. Be sure that the fibrous roots of the root sucker are still attached. Pines (Pinus spp.) are native to most of the northern hemisphere, therefore they can be
What causes a grafted tree to start a new tree?
Some things that may trigger the tree to start new trees include injury, old age, pests or disease. Other trees simply have an aggressive root system. The rootstock of grafted trees is selected because it propagates easily, so these trees may often send up tree shoots at the base of the tree.
Should you stake a tree tightly or loosely?
If you are staking it for shaping it, then stake it loosely (except at the side you’re pulling up to the vertical), not tightly. Staking a tree tightly results in a tree with a weak trunk that is prone to snapping in high winds once you remove the stake.