Question
Gary,


    The place we are renting has two redwood trees in the backyard, they are thriving and beautiful. The only real problem I am having with them is offshoots are constantly sprouting up around the base of the tree. I have trimmed them several times, but they keep coming back and are now thick enough to require a Chainsaw to prune them with. What can I do to get rid of them?

Answer
Nate, I recommend cutting the sprouts as low as you can get them, at ground level or below. Then I would lay out landscape fabric generously 6-8 ft all around the trunk, finish with 2-3 inches of good shredded hardwood mulch. I am not sure if this will work but i do know that you don't want to use a herbicide because it could damage or kill the main tree. Good Luck!

          Regards, Gary Overton