Controlling White Poplar Root Suckers After Stump Removal

Two 2-year-old white poplars were removed with stumps and 1/2-inch roots cut. New suckers keep emerging. Owner wants to prevent "millions" of sprouts.

Good News: Young Trees Rarely Resprout Aggressively

At 2 years old, the root system lacks energy for massive suckering. Any sprouts that appear can be controlled easily.

Effective Sucker Control

• Wipe-on herbicide: Apply glyphosate (Roundup) to sucker leaves with a rag—avoids grass damage from spray drift.
• Mowing: Regular mowing exhausts root reserves over time.
• Don't spray: Broadcast spraying kills lawn grass.

Persistence for one season typically ends the problem with young poplars.