Question
I have read pruning of the Russian Olive tree in general but nothing mentions the shoots budding directly from the lower trunk one or two feet off the ground.  I just planted the tree late last year and have no experience with them.  Do I pull these shoots off or cut them off when they are larger?

Answer
it is best to cut back any sucker growth on the main trunk or from the tree's roots as soon as it's spotted.

This tree is a heavy sprouter (suckers) so these will need to be cut as soon as they appear to train the tree into one trunk or if left alone you will have a bush fairly quickly.