re:water sprouts/suckers

Joe:
 
Thanks for taking the time to reply to my water sprouts/suckers query.  Unfortunately, as to advice point number 1), I have already been pulling the suckers off at the root, digging down to the source and pulling viciously.  However, these shallow roots simply put out more sprouts 1/4" away.  The second bit of advice about building a berm is right out of the question.  Firstly, the trees are in a bed that slopes in two directions, and due to the age and size of the trees, the root zone/ drip line extends beyond the boundaries of the bed.  What I have done is a long, slow sprinkling with the system that was already installed, but only during the dry season, of course, and once a week the first year and now only twice a month.  I didn't want to stress it too much too quickly.  As to plants in the area, I have only begun, and so far have only bearded iris at the very end along the street.  Since these do not require much water in the summer months, they seemed suited to less frequent watering.  I will look for the product you recommended only if it won't affect the bulbs or the neighbor's lawn down the slope and across the concrete divider.
Thanks again,
Karrie Reid
 
 
3)  Start training your pears to root more deeply.
Build a berm (raised basin) and water the tree by
flooding it -- not sprinkling and not drip.  Put in
bubbler heads or, if you do not have a system
installed, water by hand by filling the basin fully,
once or even twice.  Then, most importantly, allow the
soil to dry out completely (down a few inches) before
watering again.

4)  Remove the mulch from around the root zone beneath
the drip line.  Let the soil dry out there.  Keep
plants out of this area.

Joe

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