Question
I live in the Tampa area Florida. Four months ago I had a live oak near my patio cut down because cleaning up after it was getting to be too much. The stump was ground to a few inches below ground and new shrubs were planted about it. I now have hundreds of shoots sprouting up up from runners. As fast I pull them new sprouts appear because the runners break off. Have tried round up on patio bricks with some success but ineffective in The sprouts have invaded the lawn also but they get mowed. What to do?
Thanks,

Answer
Unfortunately the sprouts will continue until the tree root die. The tree has stored energy in the roots and it will be used up on the sprouts. I would think next spring you will get a flush of sprouts and when these are controlled that should end the stored energy. I would keep trying the Roundup but use it straight from the container and not mix water with it. Use the concentrate not the Ready to use product.

For the lawn the mowing will over time stop the sprouts. There are some growth hormones that will stop or slow the growth of these sprouts. One of these is called Sucker-Stopper a ready to use product. You might check with your local nursery/ garden type store for this product. Here is a link to information on Sucker- Stopper.

http://www.montereylawngarden.com/pdf/sucker_stopper_rtu02.pdf