Question
Hello
I have this "wonderful" ornamental cherry tree in my front yard. I cut them and then paint them with a brush sucker stopper.  IS there anyway to lessen the number of them or cause?  Some kind of landscaping, mulch, rock, etc to put under the tree umbrella? or just take out the tree. The hours I spend on this area of my yard is not worth the results.
thanks!
Bet

Answer
Hello, Bet:
All cherries will sucker if given the opportunity - most heavily in the Spring. This is usually caused by being planted too deeply, excessively pruned or physically damaged.  This product may help, but it doesn抰 specifically list Cherry trees (Sucker Stopper RTU):

http://www.montereylawngarden.com/faqs/suckerstopper/

I have not used it -- I have apple & apricot trees -- and this other website says it wouldn't kill the cherry tree, but you抣l go broke attempting to control all of that sucker growth.

The stuff is expensive, only good for just one season, and only stops the sucker growth at the point of origin. There is nothing additional to recommend that will kill the suckers without the possibility of eventually killing the tree.

Discussion:
http://www.ext.nodak.edu/extnews/hortiscope/tree/cherry.htm

If you want to go extreme, you may consider a HEAVY landscape fabric (not plastic), held down with 4 inches of gravel -- not soil or bark -- under the tree canopy.  It won't cut down on suckers at the trunk base, but if your suckers are under the canopy, this MAY help cut down on them for a while.  WHEN they occur, they'll be easier to prune.

Sorry for the bad news. ~M