Can a Tree Stump Grow Back? Regrowth, Suckers & How to Stop Them

You had a tree cut down, but a few weeks later you notice green shoots sprouting from the stump. Is the tree growing back? In many cases, yes. Many tree species common in Hampton Roads are vigorous resprouters that can regenerate from a stump if it is not properly dealt with. These new growths, called sucker shoots, can quickly turn a single stump into a thicket of unwanted growth.

At Tree Stump Removal and Excavation, we see this problem regularly across Norfolk, Virginia Beach, Chesapeake, and the surrounding communities. Here is everything you need to know about stump regrowth, which species are most likely to come back, and how to stop it permanently.

Why Do Tree Stumps Grow Back?

When a tree is cut down, the root system remains alive underground. For many species, the roots contain stored energy in the form of carbohydrates that the tree accumulated during its lifetime. This stored energy allows the roots to push out new shoots, called suckers, from the stump surface, the root crown, or even from lateral roots several feet away from the original trunk.

This resprouting ability is actually a survival mechanism. In nature, trees that are damaged by storms, fire, or animal browsing use this stored energy to regenerate. It is a sign of a healthy, vigorous root system. Unfortunately, when you want the tree gone, that resilience works against you.

The key factor in regrowth is the root crown, which is the area where the trunk meets the root system just below the soil surface. This is where the highest concentration of dormant buds exists. If the root crown remains intact after a tree is cut, those dormant buds can activate and produce dozens of sucker shoots within weeks.

Which Trees Resprout? Common Hampton Roads Species

Not all trees resprout with the same vigor. Some species are prolific resprouters, while others rarely send up new growth. Here are the species most likely to grow back from a stump in the Hampton Roads region:

Aggressive Resprouters

• Crepe myrtle — One of the most aggressive resprouters in southeastern Virginia. Crepe myrtles can send up 20 to 50 sucker shoots from a single stump within a few weeks of cutting.
• Sweetgum — Extremely common in Hampton Roads and notorious for persistent regrowth. Sweetgum suckers can emerge from roots 10 to 15 feet away from the original stump.
• Red maple and silver maple — Both species resprout vigorously and can produce a dense cluster of shoots that, if left alone, will grow into multiple weak-stemmed trunks.
• Willow — Willows are among the fastest resprouters. A willow stump near water can produce visible sucker growth within days of cutting.
• Elm — American and Chinese elms are persistent resprouters that continue sending up suckers for years if not addressed.
• Tree of heaven (Ailanthus) — This invasive species is one of the most difficult to eliminate. It resprouts aggressively from both the stump and the root system.

Moderate Resprouters

• Bradford pear — Common throughout Hampton Roads, these ornamental pears resprout reliably from stumps and are now classified as invasive in Virginia.
• Cottonwood — Produces suckers from both the stump and from spreading lateral roots.
• Chinaberry — Another invasive species in the region that resprouts readily from stumps.
• Most fruit trees — Apple, pear, cherry, and other fruit trees often resprout from rootstock below the graft union.

Unlikely to Resprout

• Most pines — Loblolly pine, Virginia pine, and other conifers common in Hampton Roads typically do not resprout from stumps.
• Eastern red cedar — Does not produce sucker growth after cutting.
• Most mature oaks — While young oaks may send up a few shoots, mature oaks rarely produce significant regrowth.

Understanding Sucker Shoots

Sucker shoots are the thin, fast-growing stems that emerge from the stump or root system after a tree is cut. They differ from normal tree growth in several ways:

• They grow rapidly, sometimes several inches per week during the growing season
• They emerge in clusters rather than as a single trunk
• They are typically weak-stemmed and poorly attached to the stump
• They grow from dormant buds that were suppressed while the original tree was standing
• If left unchecked, they can form a dense, bushy thicket rather than a proper tree form

Sucker growth is not just an aesthetic problem. These shoots draw energy from the remaining root system, which keeps the roots alive and prevents the stump from decomposing. A stump that is actively producing suckers can persist for decades, whereas a stump that is not resprouting will decompose much faster.

How Stump Grinding Prevents Regrowth

Professional stump grinding is the most effective method for preventing tree regrowth. Here is why it works:

The stump grinder removes the stump and root crown to a depth of 6 to 12 inches below the soil surface. This destroys the concentrated zone of dormant buds that produce sucker shoots. Without the root crown and upper root flare, the tree has no viable growth points to regenerate from.

Compare this to simply cutting a tree flush with the ground. A flush-cut stump leaves the entire root crown intact just below the soil surface. Every dormant bud in that root crown can potentially activate and produce a new shoot. That is why so many homeowners end up fighting sucker growth for years after a tree is cut but the stump is left in place.

After grinding, the remaining root system below the grinding depth gradually loses its stored energy. Without a trunk or active leaves to photosynthesize and replenish those carbohydrate reserves, the roots slowly starve and decompose. This process typically takes 2 to 5 years, during which the roots pose no regrowth risk because the growth points have been destroyed.

Other Methods to Stop Regrowth

If you are not ready for stump grinding, or if you want to manage sucker growth in the short term, here are alternative approaches:

Manual Sucker Removal

Cut suckers at the base where they emerge from the stump or soil. Use sharp bypass pruners or loppers for a clean cut. This method requires persistence because new suckers will emerge as long as the root system has stored energy. Expect to cut suckers every 2 to 4 weeks during the growing season.

Over time, repeated cutting can exhaust the root system's energy reserves, but this process can take 2 to 4 growing seasons for aggressive resprouters like crepe myrtle and sweetgum. It requires consistent effort and may not fully eliminate the problem.

Chemical Sucker Control

Applying a triclopyr-based brush killer to freshly cut sucker surfaces or to the stump surface can accelerate the process. The herbicide is absorbed through the fresh cut and translocated into the root system, weakening and eventually killing the roots. This method is most effective when applied immediately after cutting during the active growing season.

For detailed chemical treatment options, see our guide on how to kill a tree stump.

Covering the Stump

Placing a dark tarp or heavy layer of mulch over the stump blocks sunlight from reaching emerging suckers. Without light, the shoots cannot photosynthesize and will eventually die back. This method works but is slow, taking a full growing season or more, and is not aesthetically pleasing. It also does not kill the root system, so suckers may emerge from roots beyond the covered area.

Timeline for Regrowth

Understanding when to expect regrowth helps you plan your response:

• 1 to 4 weeks after cutting (spring/summer): First sucker shoots appear on aggressive species like crepe myrtle, willow, and sweetgum
• 4 to 8 weeks: Suckers are well established, 6 to 18 inches tall, and becoming harder to manage
• First growing season: Unchecked suckers can reach 3 to 6 feet on vigorous species
• Second growing season: Sucker stems begin to thicken and woody growth establishes, creating a multi-stemmed shrub or thicket
• 3+ years: Without intervention, the stump area becomes a dense cluster of competing stems that is harder and more expensive to remove

Trees cut during the dormant season (late fall and winter) tend to produce less immediate sucker growth because the tree is not actively growing. However, regrowth will typically begin the following spring.

When Regrowth Is a Sign of a Healthy Root System

It may seem frustrating, but vigorous sucker growth actually tells you something important about your soil and the tree's root health. A strong root system that can produce abundant regrowth indicates good soil conditions, adequate moisture, and healthy mycorrhizal networks underground.

This is useful information if you plan to plant a new tree in the area after the stump is ground. The conditions that supported vigorous regrowth will also support healthy growth of a new planting. Just make sure the stump is ground deep enough to provide root space for the new tree, typically 12 to 18 inches below grade. Learn more about proper depths in our stump grinding depth guide.

The Permanent Solution

If you want to stop dealing with sucker growth once and for all, professional stump grinding is the answer. It is faster, more reliable, and more cost-effective in the long run than years of manual cutting or chemical treatments.

Our team at Tree Stump Removal and Excavation grinds stumps of all species and sizes, including aggressive resprouters that have already established sucker growth. We grind below the root crown to eliminate the source of regrowth and leave you with a clean, level area ready for lawn restoration or new landscaping.

Frequently Asked Questions

Which trees are most likely to grow back from a stump?

The tree species most likely to produce regrowth from a stump include crepe myrtle, elm, willow, sweetgum, red maple, silver maple, cottonwood, tree of heaven, chinaberry, Bradford pear, and most fruit trees. These species are vigorous resprouters that can send up dozens of sucker shoots from the stump and root system within weeks of being cut. In Hampton Roads, crepe myrtles and sweetgums are among the most common resprouters homeowners deal with.

How do I stop tree suckers from growing?

To stop tree suckers from growing, you have several options. The most effective permanent solution is professional stump grinding, which removes the stump below grade and eliminates the growth points. For temporary control, you can cut suckers at ground level as they appear and apply a brush killer herbicide containing triclopyr to the freshly cut surfaces. Repeated cutting without herbicide will eventually exhaust the root system's energy reserves, but this can take several growing seasons. Avoid pulling suckers, as this can stimulate more growth.

Does stump grinding prevent regrowth?

Yes, stump grinding is the most reliable method for preventing tree regrowth. By grinding the stump 6 to 12 inches below grade, the trunk and root crown where sucker shoots originate are destroyed. Without these growth points, the tree cannot produce new shoots. While some lateral roots may occasionally send up a stray sucker, this is uncommon after thorough grinding and any isolated sprouts can be easily removed. Stump grinding provides a permanent solution compared to repeated cutting or chemical applications.