Problem with the roots of my Cherry Tree.

Not much, really, just keep mowing them and cutting them off. Cherries are shallow rooting and they do sucker - if you try to kill the suckers, you risk any treatment you use affecting the main tree.

Thanks for your reply. To be honest I thought that would be the case. Its just that it makes a mess of the lawn and you cannot walk bare footed either. But she is a pretty tree when in flower.

We had this problem with one of our flowering cherries, Afraid to say that I found the root which was causing the trouble and removed it back to where it entered the lawn. Big thick thing it was too and made a mess of the lawn for a while until the grass regrew. The tree is still going strong and this work was done about 5 years ago, So far no repeat of the sucker trouble.

Oh and should add, that we have a similar problem with a Greengage. Since it is already dying from a fungal infection, I put weedkiller (Roundup) on the suckers, they died, the tree is still alive, or as alive as it was before.

Oh well, that's interesting Owdboggy - you prepared to risk it Cherylp? Think I'd certainly try removing the offending root, not sure I'd have the courage to drill into it and treat with SBK if I wanted to keep the tree, but it sounds like it might work. If its stopping you walking on the lawn .... I'd chance it.

Problem is, it's more than one root as it is in different parts of our lawn.

I suppose it depends on whether the tree has good roots going in other directions. Ours has room to spread away from the lawn. Wife informs me that we actually removed three big roots from under the grass. My memory is getting worse.
Would not use SBK on the roots though, that is a mighty powerful woody plant killer.

Its a dilemma. The one root has popped up 30 foot away from the tree and is approaching an outbuilding of ours.

id dig that perticuler one up.as for suckers the best way of taking them of is to rip them of back towards wear there growing from even if you use flowers.iti just if you cut or mow them you leave maybe a bud or 2 ripping them out ends that perticuler one in its intiraty .it wont stop the suckers but it will slow down how much they reproduce .

Thanks for the advice Noseypotter

your welcome

Flowering Cherries are renowned for shallow root systems, which can pop up anywhere (lawns, paths). Because of their shallow roots they often cause root heave (literally lifting the lawn/path, especially near to the trunk), which not only looks unsightly, but is painful to walk on barefooted.
Roots close to buildings, I would recomend cutting off or shortening well away from the structure.

In short, a beautiful tree - in flower, otherwise pretty non-descript, can be more trouble than they're worth.

PS. ar you may guess flowering cherries aren't one of my favorite trees.

you would never of known tongue lol

Stjohntongue you are saying what we are thinking. It is beautiful when in flower but it is short lived. Is the short time in flower really worth it now that it is causing damage to our lawn and possible outbuilding. The damage would only increase with time. Will have to ponder that more.

Yes. Flowering time is stunning but short. Afterwards you have a mess of rotting flowers all over the garden/street/town/county/country/etc./etc. ;-)
Is it worth it?
Good thing about cherry - the wood is very hard. Good for furniture making and carving.
Also burns well. An excellent firewood.

ill bear that in mind thanks tongue

I get the idea tongue. Its just I hate the thought of killing it but your comments are true. I know my dad would be extremely pleased to know that I had cherry wood as he does wood carving. I put a photo of one of his carving online a while ago The Green Man.

the chippings from fruit trees are good for charcoal barbies as they add a lovley flaver or are good for purches for ornimental birds

So fully recyclable what a wonderful tree it is.

all life is is wonderful just some seamingly more than others lol

Well remembered Nosey ;-) I forgot about barbie chips!

all good tongue thats why you have barbi`s i thaught.ive never understould standing 10 foot away from your gas cooker indoors with what is realy a gas cooker outside