How to eliminate suckers on Italian Plum tree

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Reds4me Chehalis, WA Aug 30, 2014

I have a thriving Italian plum, only 4 years old, on semi-dwarf stock. It had so many plums this year, it broke a limb. So, I'll watch it closer next year. Plums are delicious. But here's the question, I have about 20 to 40 suckers sprouting up from 5 inches, to 2 feet from the trunk. They are just thick. I've wacked away at them with pruners, only to have them come back thicker. This can't be helping the health or longivity of my tree.

Any suggestions?

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Diana_K Contra Costa County, CA(Zone 9b) Aug 30, 2014

When the suckers are small, snap them off with thumb or fingers. Sometimes this will reduce the resprouting. When you cut, there are still adventitious buds left on the root that sprout when you cut.

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Reds4me Chehalis, WA Sep 01, 2014

Thank You Diana K. I will try that with the small ones. I was out yesterday and found three very hearty sprouts coming up inside other plants. Nothing to do but cut them. Think I should dig down and find where they start at the root? I have a feeling they will be back with a vengeance.

Post #9930652
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Diana_K Contra Costa County, CA(Zone 9b) Sep 01, 2014

Yes, the closer you can get to the source the fewer buds will be there to regrow. Yes, they will come back. Not sure what to do about it. Just keep cutting them off.

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