Baby cottonwoods sprouting like mad?

[samsquatch]

Customer called, reporting multiple sprouts in her lawn. Near a medium sized cottonwood. She believes this is tied to the tree’s root system and sprouts are coming from the roots, and I concur.
What can be done to stop the sprouting? Is the tree is distress or in trouble?

 

[Jonny]

I can’t say for certain if you’re right or wrong, but keep in mind around a month ago she dropped millions of seeds. If there was some significant rain, the seeds might not have floated very far away.

Pull one out and see if it’s got it’s own baby root system, and probe under them and see if they seem to be connected to the big gal.

 

[samsquatch]

I can’t say for certain if you’re right or wrong, but keep in mind around a month ago she dropped millions of seeds. If there was some significant rain, the seeds might not have floated very far away.

Pull one out and see if it’s got it’s own baby root system, and probe under them and see if they seem to be connected to the big gal.

The root balls of the minis are semi-solid. Is it possible that dozens of seeds bonded together to form such dense roots?

What herbicide will stop the tree growth but not harm the grass?

 

[owScott]

The root balls of the minis are semi-solid. Is it possible that dozens of seeds bonded together to form such dense roots?

What herbicide will stop the tree growth but not harm the grass?

Sprouts from the root system when continually mowed over will create a kinda of knuckle like when you pollard a tree over the years. Difficult problem try and dig the knuckle with a pick. Herbicide may harm the tree. Up hill battle unless you remove the tree and grind a bunch of the roots and stump.

 

[JD3000]

They seed like mad. I spent a day pulling sprouts out of my nursery pots

 

[samsquatch]

Sprouts from the root system when continually mowed over will create a kinda of knuckle like when you pollard a tree over the years. Difficult problem try and dig the knuckle with a pick. Herbicide may harm the tree. Up hill battle unless you remove the tree and grind a bunch of the roots and stump.

This describes the root balls accurately. They aren't woody, tho, at least on the surface...

 

[owScott]

This describes the root balls accurately. They aren't woody, tho, at least on the surface...

They usually will come out easily with a pick.

 

[Basswood]

My parents have a bunch of cottonwoods that do the same, even coming up through the cracks in the deck creating a cool example of tropic growth response. I believe they are from the roots in attempts to colonize.

 

[sgbotsford]

I can’t say for certain if you’re right or wrong, but keep in mind around a month ago she dropped millions of seeds. If there was some significant rain, the seeds might not have floated very far away.

Pull one out and see if it’s got it’s own baby root system, and probe under them and see if they seem to be connected to the big gal.

Populus seed requires bare earth, and prefers mineral soil to root. Seeds are only viable for a few days. Rooting in grass is essentially a non-starter. In mixed poplar/grasslands how often do you see a single poplar on it's own? If you do, chances are it got started on a gopher mound.

These are root suckers, and are signs that the tree has surplus energy, and sufficient water. They will mow easily, but leave a mini-punji stick that is tough on bare feet for a few weeks. Easiest practice is to snip with pruning shears.

The roots will sucker if damaged. This can be spectacular if someone aerates their lawn.