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Suckers and Water Sprouts
in Springfield, IL
Suckers and water sprouts show up on stressed trees across Springfield, especially after a hot dry summer like the ones that hit Sangamon County in 2012 and 2023. They are the tree's attempt to put out new growth when something is wrong. They look like fast-growing straight shoots with oversized leaves and they appear almost overnight.
Quick Answer
Suckers grow from the roots at the base of a tree and water sprouts shoot straight up from the trunk or main branches. Both are common in Springfield after pruning or a stressful season. They drain resources from the main canopy and can indicate an underlying tree health issue. Removing them by hand or with proper cuts stops the drain and cleans up the tree.
Telltale Signs
Warning Signs to Watch For
- Clusters of straight thin shoots growing from the base of the trunk
- Vertical shoots growing up from horizontal main branches
- New shoots with noticeably larger leaves than the rest of the canopy
- Shoots appearing at or below the graft union on a young ornamental tree
- The tree looks bushy at the base while the upper canopy thins out
Root Causes
What Causes Suckers and Water Sprouts?
Drought Stress Triggering Survival Growth
Springfield's clay soils crack and dry out significantly during July and August heat. When a tree loses too much water through its leaves, it responds by sending up fast-growing shoots close to the root zone where soil moisture is slightly higher. These shoots are a stress signal, not healthy new growth.
The Fix
Sucker and Sprout Removal With Mulching
The shoots are removed as close to their point of origin as possible so they do not re-sprout quickly. Adding a ring of wood chip mulch around the root zone helps the soil hold moisture and reduces the stress causing the sprouts in the first place.
Pruning Cuts Triggering Sprout Response
Heavy pruning cuts signal the tree to push out new growth near the wound. After a major trimming job, water sprouts commonly appear on branches within a few feet of large cuts. This is especially common on maples and ornamental pears, both of which are planted widely in Springfield subdivisions built after 1990.
The Fix
Follow-Up Sprout Pruning
Water sprouts from pruning cuts are removed in the season after the main trim job. Leaving them in place for a second year lets them develop wood that is harder to remove cleanly.
Self-Diagnosis
Which Cause Applies to You?
Check the signs you're observing to narrow down the likely root cause before your inspection.
| What You're Seeing | Drought Stress Triggering Survival Growth | Pruning Cuts Triggering Sprout Response |
|---|---|---|
| Sprouts appeared after a summer with very little rain | ||
| Vertical shoots appeared near large pruning cuts made the previous year | ||
| Shoots are growing from below the soil surface at the base of the trunk | ||
| Clusters of straight shoots appear on branches that were heavily trimmed | ||
| Upper canopy looks thin while base is covered in new growth |
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