I'm sure this is a basic gardening question, but I didn't know where else to find the answer. All the trees in my yard keep getting these new growth shoots that I have to keep snipping of with my pruners. Is there some way to stop this new growth so I don't have to keep pruning?
Those are called watersprouts, and they are a stress reaction.
Some common causes:
1. Borer damage;
2. Storm breakage, reducing crown area;
3. Removal of lower branches, exposing trunk to sun;
4. Graft union problems (not apparent here);
5. Systemic diseases, like bacterial leaf scorch on oaks.
Possible treatment:
Prune them off and spray the cut with a hormone treatment like Maintain-A, Sucker-Stopper, or SproutGard. But first try to determine why it's happening, and address the underlying cause if possible.
Guy S.
