Linden tree root sprouts

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[I thought I posted this earlier, but I'm new to this forum and seem to have made a mistake. My apologies if it ends up being a double posting]

have 3 very old linden trees in our back garden. We have been told that they are 100 years old. I'm not a tree expert, but I do have photo's going back at least 50 years showing them.

We have them pruned professionally every couple of years. We have an increasing problem with root sprouts that are growing from the base or trunk of the trees. I think they are called "suckers"?

I try to cut them as soon as I see them, but they are really getting worse, and taking a lot of maintenance. I'm also concerned that they are going to start to grow under the terrace around them.

We don't want to do anything that will harm the trees. They are very nostalgic to us. We also don't want to remove any of the terrace, because we have a wheelchair user in the family.

Is there anything that can be advised for this? We really don't want to do anything involves herbicide. I have been told that we might be able to paint them, but don't have any further information about that.

Can anyone give us some advice?

 

Hi elarson,

Linden trees, or lime trees as they are called in the UK, have a well-known propensity to grow these basal shoots. They are the tree's natural response to being pruned. As the tree loses leaves in one area, it replaces them in another - in lime trees this is usually carried out around the base. Careful removal by hedge cutter or secateurs would be the only option. Unfortunately the more you cut them more they grow back. 'Tis the nature of the tree.

Regards,
Matthew

 

Welcome to GC elarson. Gardeners Corner is in the process of being changed to a new server, so things will be a bit strange for a couple of days. We've also been asked not to post pictures for the time being.

 

Oops, I missed that. I took the images out.

 

What about cutting back as much as possible and placing flagstones around the base? Would that discourage re-growth without hurting the tree?

 

I think I'd really need to see some photos before offering any further advice, elarson.