Maple Root Sucker or Vine? Identification and Management

Art had a 100-foot maple with a thick, arm-sized "vine" climbing into the canopy. Bark matched the maple. He wondered if it was a root sucker.

Likely a Root Sucker

Maples do sucker (especially Sugar Maples), often from stress or grafted rootstock. The sucker steals nutrients and can damage canopy branches.

Management

Cut back continually to ground level (or as close to trunk as possible without cutting it). Never apply herbicide—it will harm the parent tree.

Follow-Up

Art offered to send a section for ID. The expert requested foliage sample, location, and suggested checking with the local Extension Service. Contact: kkfranklin@hotmail.com for mailing address.