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 is done by cutting off the suckers that grow around a fruit tree and moving the trees to a new spot with some of their roots 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 a tree from an offshoot, also known as a sucker, 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. Here’s a step-by-step guide to successfully growing a tree from an offshoot.
Identifying Offshoots on Trees
The first step is identifying offshoots growing near the base of a tree. Look for young shoots emerging from the ground within about 3 feet of the trunk. Offshoots will usually grow straight up with just a few leaves. They are connected underground to the parent tree’s root system.
Certain species like maples, poplars, apples, and cherries produce offshoots more readily than others But most trees can develop offshoots under the right conditions. Times of stress, root damage, or excessive pruning can all trigger offshoot growth
When to Remove an Offshoot
Early spring just before growth resumes 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 developed roots. Smaller offshoots can be left to grow for another season.
Removing an offshoot in early spring gives it the whole growing season to establish in its new location. Fall is another option, but the offshoot will have less time to settle in before winter dormancy.
How to Remove an Offshoot
Removing an offshoot is a simple process, but it’s important to do it carefully to avoid damaging the roots.
First, use a shovel to dig a trench around the offshoot, about 6-12 inches from the stem. Dig deep enough to uncover where the roots begin.
Check if the offshoot has its own developed root system branching away from the parent tree’s roots. If it does, you can simply detach it by cutting the roots connecting it to the main tree.
If the offshoot does not have a defined root system yet, you’ll need to take a bit more of the parent tree’s roots along with the offshoot. Use a saw or sharp pruners to cut through some of the parent roots while leaving as much intact as possible. Try to keep roots that are clearly connected to the offshoot.
Once detached, lift the offshoot out of the hole with its roots and soil intact. Backfill the hole with soil to minimize stress to 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 it regularly at first as it establishes. Once it has leafed out and started growing, transition it to a larger pot or plant it in the ground.
Select a permanent site with suitable sun exposure, soil drainage, and space for growth. Dig a hole wider and a little deeper than the offshoot’s root ball. Carefully remove from the pot without disturbing the roots too much. Position in the hole with the top of the root ball level with the ground. Refill the hole and tamp down the soil lightly. Build a berm around the perimeter to help retain water.
Water the offshoot thoroughly after planting and cover the soil with 2-3 inches of organic mulch. Continue regular watering for the first couple growing seasons until fully established. Protect young offshoots from browsing deer, rodents, or livestock with fencing if needed.
Offshoot vs. Root Cutting
Another technique for propagating trees from roots is taking root cuttings. This involves cutting off smaller, pencil-sized roots from the parent tree and directly planting these root segments to generate new shoots.
Offshoots differ in that they are above ground shoots already connected to larger roots. Root cuttings are more finicky and slower to establish since they have to initiate their own shoot growth. Offshoots give the new plant a head start with an existing stem and leaves.
Things to Consider
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Not all trees produce offshoots readily. Select a healthy parent tree of a species known to sucker like poplar or apple.
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Avoid taking too many offshoots from one tree. Removing more than 2-3 in a season can stress the parent.
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Transplant offshoots while still young and small for best survival rates. Large offshoots suffer more root damage when removed.
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Offshoots will be genetically identical clones of the parent tree, so choose a desirable specimen free of disease.
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Offshoot propagation works for both deciduous and evergreen trees. But avoid removing offshoots from pine trees.
Advantages of Offshoot Propagation
Growing a tree from an offshoot has many advantages:
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It’s simple – no special equipment or skills needed.
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Offshoots are free! Just remove and transplant existing shoots.
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You get an exact genetic replica of the parent tree.
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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.
Propagating trees from offshoots allows you to easily duplicate landscape trees you love or propagate unique varieties true-to-type. With proper timing and care in removal and relocation, offshoots will flourish into full-sized trees. Taking the time to nurture offshoots establishes the next generation of beautiful trees for free.
Fruit Trees Grown from Suckers Won’t Produce the Fruit You Were ExpectingNow 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.
There you have it. If you want good fruit on a budget, you need to do your homework, figure out what will work best for you, and then shop around to find the best deal on the options you’re considering. And remember, getting a cheap price on something often means you will get cheap, inferior quality.
It’s important to know what kind of grass to use when you’re overseeding an existing lawn, planning to start a new lawn, or reseeding bare or thin spots.
It’s likely something we’ve all seen, and some of us may even do it sometimes. It can be the result .
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Cutting. Grow a tree from a branch
FAQ
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