Remove Or Leave Sucker Branches From My White Kousa Chinese Dogwood

Question

Your website is wonderful and incredibly informative. I have read most everything about our White Kuosa Dogwood to give it the best chance to survive this South Carolina Heat. I have amended my soil ph to just below 7. My drainage is 1-1/2″ per hour. I’ve added rabbit dung to the soil surrounding the the root ball soil. I’ve dipped the root ball in a 5 gallon pail with diluted root stimulator. I’ve planted the tree in the middle of a Garden Island so no grass trimmers can scar the bark because of my concern is with Dogwood Borers attacking the damaged bark. SO, as my question eludes, If I remove these sucker branches will that not create a point of entry for these Borers. I see many of the fruit growers in Maine wrap the bottom of their trees with some kind of white tape. If I remove these sucker branches is this tape product something I should do. I remember back 60 years ago when a branch was removed from my neighbors tree they painted it with a black Tar substance. Is there a product like that I could use. Any assistance to help assure my wife’s favorite tree will survive would be immensely appreciated. Thank You George

Answer 1

I would, definitely, remove the suckers. Painting the wounds is an old practice that can lead infection, so I do not recommend that. I do recommend treating with insecticide oils or something to prevent infestation. This can be organic, or synthetic.

https://www.gardeningknowhow.com/ornamental/trees/tgen/tree-borer-insects.htm