Cherry Tree Root Sprouts: Skip the Diesel, Try Sucker Punch

Flowering cherry sending up shoots from exposed roots? The old "diesel on cut roots" trick is a terrible idea — it poisons the soil and can kill the parent tree.

Why Diesel Is Destructive

Diesel fuel is a hydrocarbon solvent. Applied to roots, it destroys living tissue, contaminates soil, and can translocate through the root system, damaging the entire tree. It's also an environmental hazard.

Better Options

• Sprout inhibitors: Products like Bonide Sucker Punch (naphthaleneacetic acid) applied to freshly cut sprouts can suppress regrowth. Follow label directions.
• Annual removal: Cut sprouts at ground level each year. It's labor but safe and effective.
• Mulch, don't mound: Avoid piling soil over roots — it encourages more sprouting.

Root Cause

Some cherry cultivars, especially grafted ones on vigorous rootstocks, are simply prone to suckering. Stress (drought, injury, shallow roots) worsens it. Keep the tree healthy and accept that annual sprout patrol is part of the deal.

No shortcuts with diesel. Use a labeled sprout inhibitor or commit to yearly clipping.