What do you put on trees after trimming to stop little offshoots?

As long as a tree is alive it will sprout suckers.

All you can do is remove them. If you apply anything to them it will also get into the trees roots and kill the whole tree.

Do NOT cut the suckers, pull them off when they are small. Cutting only seems to encourage regrowth.

There is a pruning sealer that you can get at home improvement stores. It is like a tar that hardens and it prevents regrow and rot at the cut site.

When you cut them just put a little glue on the place

Wait – Before You Use Pruning Sealer on Trees…April 14, 2016

Pruning – tree trimming – call it what you will. No matter its name, we love talking about how and why to prune trees at Davey!

The benefits of pruning trees seem endless. Pruning creates stronger, healthier trees, which reduces the risk of trees damaging your property. So, you’ll have less damage and cleanup after storms.

Plus, pruning makes your tree look better – and results in a larger harvest from fruit trees! Now that’s a delicious reason to prune your trees.

Once your tree is pruned, though, should you use pruning sealer on cuts close to the trunk?

Our reader Terri F., recently asked this question after “trimming some lower branches off a sycamore tree.”

Before we delve into whether you should use a pruning sealer on your trees, let’s cover the basics.

What Is a Pruning Sealer?

Pruning sealers, also called pruning paint, are products that claim to “aid the healing of pruning cuts” or “minimize sap loss.”

Most often, these products are petroleum-based, but some even contain asphalt. Alternatively, there are natural tree sealers with ingredients like collagen and aloe gel.

Should I Use Pruning Sealer on Trees? If So, When Do I Use Tree Sealer?

No – you should not use pruning sealers after pruning your trees or shrubs.

In fact, research from the University of Arizona, found pruning sealers actually obstruct trees’ natural healing power. Yes, you read that correctly! Tree pruning sealers are bad for your trees because it makes harder for your tree to heal.

Plus, pruning sealers may trap moisture in the tree, which can encourage wood decay or fungi.

While we need Band-Aids to reduce blood loss and help our wounds heal, trees simply recover differently than us.

How Trees Recover After Pruning

After pruning, trees grow new wood, which covers the pruning wound, and prevents the invasion of diseases or bugs.

Trees know how to recover from pruning wounds all on their own.

A sealer can be applied to the place where the sprouts are removed, available at diy stores.

I have never found a magic solution just keep picking them off.