Suckers

[Fishbonker]

I planted 11 persimmons on April 13 2006. First year they grew fine. After the second growing season they winter killed. They eventually re-sprouted and grew then re winter killed and grew again this spring. I finally went in and picked one “trunk” that looked viable and cut out the rest. They are looking good, for the most part. The stumps are starting to sucker up again. Is there any thing I can put on the cuts/stumps (about 1.5 inches max diameter) to keep them from sprouting suckers? Pruning paint? I think the reason they winter kill is because they aren’t winter hardy for this zone (DUH) and because they continue to grow late into the fall and the growth doesn’t have a chance to harden off before it gets cold. They came from South Carolina. I think if I found some from a nursery farther north it would work out better, but I have four years invested in what are looking like bushes again so I don’t wanna start over.
Thanks for any help.

The 'Bonker

 

[letemgrow]

Sounds like you have no choice, but to replant. There is no way to make those trees ever winter hardy for your area I doubt. Order some from the MDC nursery. I have some planted 2 miles from the IA line and they are dropping loads of persimmons that the deer eat just as well as the apples. Looks like hogs were under those trees every fall.

The trees are probably 7 years old or so now and about 15-20 feet tall and looking great. They never winterkill.

 

[dbltree]

They came from South Carolina.

ooopps! Red Fern Farm over by Burlington carries persimmons also...:way: