I would never plant a Silver Maple with all the exciting varieties that are available, but our home has a large, 50 year old specimen that offers wonderful shade. This tree, however, gets a lot of suckers throughout its branches. I prune them out annually but they always come back, and with new friends, in droves. I have to hire a tree outfit to come in to get to the high ones. Is there anything that can be done to discourage these suckers besides proper pruning? A paint, a pill, magic potions or dynamite? Dan in Toledo, Ohio.
proper pruning cuts can reduce the growth of suckers, aka epicormics. Also if in the US (as Ohio is, last time I checked) there is a growth regulator known as Cambistat that may be something for you to consider. If hiring a 'tree outfit' try to find one accredited by TCIA or at least someone that is a certified arborist, it should get you folks that are more qualified than some hack n slash outfits.
