Date Palm Suckers.

[Barry Hunnel]

Hi. 
I live in Gilbert Arizona and I have 8 date palm trees that have several suckers on the ground and on the trunk. 
They appear to be sapping the strength out of the main tree. 
What will can be used to make the pups stop growing?

The trees are 7 feet tall and they were transplanted in April 2020. 
Thanks for any ideas as to what can be done. 
Barry
 

[kinzyjr]

@Barry Hunnel Welcome to PalmTalk!

Get the chainsaw out.  It's a never-ending chore.

[Barry Hunnel]

Thanks for the quick reply. 
I read in a post from back years ago on palm talk that said to cut them and then  use kerosene directly on the sucker removal location. It was said this reduce a teee that had several suckers to just two. 
also will it hurt the main tree if I take them all off at once and does it matter when I take them off? Late fall etc?
Thanks. 

[kinzyjr]

That may work, but I'll have to let someone else chime in.  It shouldn't affect the main trunk.  In my case, removing them would probably attract insects carrying Lethal Bronzing, so I refrain from doing it unless they grow toward the driveway.  I typically trim in the fall, if only because it isn't insanely humid.  

[aztropic]

You will have to manually remove the suckers.I've found that a sawzall type recip saw is the best tool for this.You can remove them all at the same time,anytime,without hurting the tree.Kerosene probably wont hurt the tree if put on the sucker cuts,but probably won't stop new pups from forming.It's just the nature of the species...Usually after several feet of wood trunk has formed,sucker production slows down.It's been a few years since this female medjool date of mine has produced any suckers.

 

aztropic

Mesa,Arizona

 

[Steve in Florida]

I just use lopping shears or a sawzall.