What do I do with apple suckers

[morverngirl]

I have taken on an old plot with apple trees but there are a lot of long thin trees growing near by which i believe are suckers, do I just cut them down or can i use a strong shrub killer or any other ideas. Thanks

[Jeanied]

If they are suckers and you use chemicals, this will affect the main tree.
From what I know suckers are pulled off individually removing the join with the main root.

[hailtryfan]

Jeanied is correct, use harsh chemicals on sucker and you will effect the main tree. Cut the sucker off as deep as you can.

You can treat the sucker with Sucker Stopper which will stop it growing back for a few months but this too can effect the growth of the main tree, especially if the tree is weak or young.

[Mell]

you could perhaps graft them over to a cultivar you could use ?