I have a dwarf Korean lilac tree which has a couple of offshoots. How on earth do I remove them and get them to grow on their own? Will I damage the tree by removing them?
Also, what are these plants growing in the soil? I have a few in different pots around the garden as they seem to randomly start growing anywhere so guessing some kind of wildflower?
Ornamental or fruit trees are usually grafted onto a rootstock of a similar, but more resilient tree. It's not unusual for shoots to grow from below the graft, they are called suckers, and because they are more vigorous than the plant you paid for, they will outcompete your ornamental tree. They are best removed by grasping them firmly and pulling them away from the base of the plant. Grow them on separately by all means if you like, but they are unlikely to be anything very desirable.
Sorry, but I can't see the other plants you refer to. Can you post another picture of them, and we'll do our best.
If I pull it off will it just grow again? I have noticed near the top of the trunk there’s a bit of wax around it, I’m guessing maybe where they removed an offshoot. I’ll give it a go and see if I can grow the sucker, do I need anything special or do I just put it in water until it grows roots? Thanks for your help
The wax will be where the graft was made, I should think. As josusa47 said, you need to remove the shoots from the base or all the energy from the roots will go into those instead of your grafted tree at the top.
The weed is a willowherb which seed everywhere so keep pulling those up whenever you see one.
A trowel in the hand is worth a thousand lost under a bush.
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Sorry, but I can't see the other plants you refer to. Can you post another picture of them, and we'll do our best.
I’ll give it a go and see if I can grow the sucker, do I need anything special or do I just put it in water until it grows roots?
Thanks for your help
But don’t mess with the wax! That’s a delicate part of the plant.
Oh no, I haven’t and won’t touch the wax.