Post a reply

Avatar for MLK43611
Oct 11, 2024 8:24 AM CST
Thread OP
Toledo Ohio
I have an old unknown shrub/tree on the property we just bought. Google can't identify nor could a neighbor. Possibly a deutzia. Zone 6, Northwest Ohio.

There are many thick, dead trunks and limbs. Old living limbs tend to be lined with suckers. A few very tall limbs do have regular stems. There are many tall suckers from down low on the trunks.

Q: During or after winter dormancy, should I selectively reduce the number of suckers (low or high?), cut off the remaining old stuff, other? I'd like to direct its "energy" stores to where it's most useful.

Thanks.
Thumb of 2024-10-11/MLK43611/ca5c5c

Thumb of 2024-10-11/MLK43611/2c88a4

Thumb of 2024-10-15/MLK43611/7ffb4e
Thumb of 2024-10-15/MLK43611/dad419
Thumb of 2024-10-15/MLK43611/7eef65
Thumb of 2024-10-15/MLK43611/d0c6d5
Last edited by MLK43611 Oct 15, 2024 7:51 AM Icon for preview
Image
Oct 11, 2024 9:20 AM CST
Name: Nick
Detroit Michigan (Zone 6a)
My kids are my life
Bee Lover Birds Butterflies Cat Lover Echinacea Growing under artificial light
Region: Michigan Orchids Lover of wildlife (Raccoon badge)
I think that what you have is a shrub. With its overall height being 20-25 feet at most with a propensity for sprouting like crazy, it seems to be doing what it is suppose to.
Regardless of what it is, I don't think you can make it to grow 'more tree like'.
I think that if you prune it and remove shoots and shape it more like a tree, it will grow as it is genetically prone to do, it will grow suckers a side shoots like crazy.
There is no better thrill then catching fish using flies that you tied!
Image
Oct 11, 2024 11:13 AM CST
California Central Valley (Zone 8b)
Region: California
Catpaworchids said:
Regardless of what it is, I don't think you can make it to grow 'more tree like'.


I must not read well as I've read that question 3 times and it never says 'more tree like'.

MLK43611 said:
Q: During or after winter dormancy, should I selectively reduce the number of suckers (low or high?), cut off the remaining old stuff, other? I'd like to direct its "energy" stores to where it's most useful.


I'm not sure what kind of plant that is either - I would define it as either a scrub or multi-stemmed tree but that's just playing at semantics.

Do remove the dead stuff, its not adding to overall health, just making it ugly. I wouldn't remove anything alive this time of year because you don't want to encourage growth this late in the fall. Next spring after it leafs out, prune selectively to give it the appearance you want it to have. Be aware though that you have not reduced the size of the root system and as Nick pointed out, you won't change the growth habit of this plant. Pruning will encourage more growth and more suckers.

My only other suggestion would be that you post your photos in the Plant ID forum and find out what it is so you can care for it and prune properly. You can request this question be moved to Plant ID so as not to lose what's already been said. Suggest a Change just below this box.
Image
Oct 11, 2024 11:21 AM CST
Name: Nick
Detroit Michigan (Zone 6a)
My kids are my life
Bee Lover Birds Butterflies Cat Lover Echinacea Growing under artificial light
Region: Michigan Orchids Lover of wildlife (Raccoon badge)
Well my point was that if it is healthy, growing like gangbusters, why not just leave it alone?
But if that does not meet the owners objectives, then prune it either a little or a lot? You keep going until it meets your goals. But I suspect it will respond by producing more suckers, more leafy growths.
I do not personally like to prune for the sake of pruning. Live and let live.

It could be professionally removed and replaced with something else.
There is no better thrill then catching fish using flies that you tied!
Image
Oct 11, 2024 11:54 AM CST
Plants Admin
Name: Suzanne/Sue
Sebastopol, CA (Zone 9a)
Sunset Zone 15
Plant Database Moderator Region: California Cottage Gardener Garden Photography Roses Clematis
Daylilies Houseplants Foliage Fan Birds Butterflies Bee Lover
Moved to Plant ID forum, please add a few additional close ups of the leaves, stems.
My NGA gardening Blog!
Handmade quilts, new & vintage fabrics in my Etsy store. Summer Song Cottage
Instagram Sewing posts
Avatar for MLK43611
Oct 15, 2024 8:37 AM CST
Thread OP
Toledo Ohio
Thank you, everyone.

I just want to do what's best for this tree. I don't know whether cutting off the suckers would benefit the little bit of regular limb growth that remains on this aged tree, or if getting rid of the old, possibly declining limbs would benefit selective suckers to grow into limbs. Suckers absolutely line the old limbs.

I understand the benefit of IDing the tree. However, since moving my post has not drawn additional responses, could we return it to the original forum?
Image
Oct 15, 2024 10:54 AM CST
Name: Sally
central Maryland (Zone 7b)
See you in the funny papers!
Overwinters Tender Plants Indoors Garden Procrastinator Charter ATP Member Hummingbirder Frogs and Toads Houseplants
Keeper of Poultry Vegetable Grower Region: Maryland Composter Native Plants and Wildflowers Organic Gardener
Still up for debate, is it a suckery tree, or a wayyy overgrown shrub? Some shrubs bloom better on young growth. Would you rather it tree like, with overhead branches giving some shade? Then taking suckers may help? But the way the suckers are, just makes me want to think it is a very old 'shrub.'
Plant it and they will come.
Last edited by sallyg Oct 15, 2024 10:55 AM Icon for preview
Image
Oct 15, 2024 10:58 AM CST
Name: Sandy B.
Ford River Twp, Michigan UP (Zone 4b)
(Zone 4b-maybe 5a)
Charter ATP Member Bee Lover Butterflies Birds I was one of the first 300 contributors to the plant database! Million Pollinator Garden Challenge
Seed Starter Vegetable Grower Greenhouse Region: United States of America Region: Michigan Enjoys or suffers cold winters
@Calif_Sue -- I don't see the question in Plant ID ?

MLK - there is also a "trees and shrubs" forum that might be helpful to you.
“Think occasionally of the suffering of which you spare yourself the sight." ~ Albert Schweitzer
C/F temp conversion
Avatar for MLK43611
Oct 15, 2024 11:40 AM CST
Thread OP
Toledo Ohio
@SallyG,

Thanks. It looks ancient to me. There are other shrubs here that are also old. It is certainly tall enough to be a tree but shrub-shaped. 🤪 I guess I'll have to wait for spring to see what the flowers look like.
Last edited by MLK43611 Oct 19, 2024 9:43 PM Icon for preview
Image
Oct 15, 2024 12:50 PM CST
Plants Admin
Name: Suzanne/Sue
Sebastopol, CA (Zone 9a)
Sunset Zone 15
Plant Database Moderator Region: California Cottage Gardener Garden Photography Roses Clematis
Daylilies Houseplants Foliage Fan Birds Butterflies Bee Lover
Weedwhacker said: @Calif_Sue -- I don't see the question in Plant ID ?


That's because I moved it back to the AAQ as requested and as shown in this thread. nodding
My NGA gardening Blog!
Handmade quilts, new & vintage fabrics in my Etsy store. Summer Song Cottage
Instagram Sewing posts
Image
Oct 15, 2024 12:58 PM CST
Name: Sandy B.
Ford River Twp, Michigan UP (Zone 4b)
(Zone 4b-maybe 5a)
Charter ATP Member Bee Lover Butterflies Birds I was one of the first 300 contributors to the plant database! Million Pollinator Garden Challenge
Seed Starter Vegetable Grower Greenhouse Region: United States of America Region: Michigan Enjoys or suffers cold winters
Calif_Sue said: That's because I moved it back to the AAQ as requested and as shown in this thread. nodding


Oh... D'Oh!
“Think occasionally of the suffering of which you spare yourself the sight." ~ Albert Schweitzer
C/F temp conversion
Image
Oct 15, 2024 1:06 PM CST
California Central Valley (Zone 8b)
Region: California
I never saw it in Plant ID either.

But looking at your new photos... does it bloom? It looks like a Lonicera but I really wouldn't know.
Avatar for MLK43611
Oct 15, 2024 3:33 PM CST
Thread OP
Toledo Ohio
Lucy68,

A neighbor said it bloomed in the spring. Pink and white flowers followed by red berries. We moved here at the end of June; there were no berries or flowers at that time.
Image
Oct 15, 2024 3:40 PM CST
California Central Valley (Zone 8b)
Region: California
Yep, Lonicera.
Avatar for MLK43611
Oct 15, 2024 9:17 PM CST
Thread OP
Toledo Ohio
@Lucy68.

Interesting. I had no idea there is a variety of honeysuckle that grows in this form! Thx.
Last edited by MLK43611 Oct 19, 2024 9:42 PM Icon for preview
Image
Oct 19, 2024 10:32 AM CST
Name: Nancy
North Dakota (Zone 4a)
Personally, I would remove it. I live next door to a house that has these garbage shrubs and trees with a ton of dead growth all along our shared property line and there is nothing attractive about them. I am spraying suckers that invade my yard all summer long. It's a nightmare. Sighing!
Thumb of 2024-10-19/comgoddess/2b922c
Avatar for MLK43611
Oct 19, 2024 9:41 PM CST
Thread OP
Toledo Ohio
@comgoddess That's definitely not the handsomest tree I've seen. 😑
Image
Oct 26, 2024 3:35 PM CST
Name: Nancy
North Dakota (Zone 4a)
MLK43611 said: @comgoddess That's definitely not the handsomest tree I've seen. 😑


The neighbor from hell cut the living branches 4' from the ground and left them lying in the trees and didn't bother trimming any dead growth. The entire property line is populated with a mess of volunteer garbage trees and thick scrub brush and I get to look at it directly outside my kitchen windows every day. It's like being in a dark foreboding Tim Burton movie and makes me question why I spend so much time on my yard. Shrug!
Avatar for MLK43611
Oct 26, 2024 9:10 PM CST
Thread OP
Toledo Ohio
Only the members of the Members group may reply to this thread.
  • Started by: MLK43611
  • Replies: 18, views: 473
Member Login:

( No account? Join now! )