Stopping Bradford Pear Root Suckers After Mower Damage

Surface roots on your 26-year-old Bradford pears get nicked by mowers, then sprout branches. Cutting them just brings more. How to stop?

Solution: Sucker Stopper (NAA) + Sand Cover

1. Spray new sprouts with naphthaleneacetic acid (NAA) (e.g., Monterey Sucker Stopper).
2. Wait 1 week, then cut sprouts off.
3. Cover exposed roots with 2 inches of sand (not soil). Sand blocks light, stops resprouting, protects roots from mower nicks.

Why It Works

• NAA suppresses adventitious bud break.
• Sand eliminates light trigger for sprouting.
• No herbicide needed (glyphosate on suckers can damage parent tree via root grafts).

Long-Term

• Expand mulch ring to keep mowers off roots entirely.
• Bradford pears are prone to surface roots; accept some management.

Bottom Line

Spray NAA, cut after a week, cover roots with sand. Best non-chemical, tree-safe sucker control.