Shoots from base of tree.

moonpenny

I have a tree that I planted over 10 years ago with lovely soft green silvery leaves. I think it is a Whitebeam.

Anyway, at the base it looks like it was grafted and this year it has sprouted shoots.  The leaves on these shoots look like beech. Would it have been grafted onto a beech?

Would I be able to take these shoots and plant and if so how do I do it?

DD265

My experience of taking bay suckers is that the only ones to make it had a good portion of root come with. That may be my inexperience, but I couldn't get the ones which were simply cuttings to grow any roots.

twopenny

I've managed it with lilac but that throws up so many you have a choice.

My neighbour has a Beech as a shrub. Beautiful and changing with the seasons.

The thing is would it damage the bark for your Whitebeam and let in fungus/bacteria if you try to remove them with enough heel to help them root?.

Davesnave

I suppose if it's a named kind of Whitebeam it must be grafted, but if these bits are beech, they won't take as cuttings anyway. Beech are grown from seed.

If you want beech, just buy them bare rooted in winter for under £2 each.

moonpenny

Davesnave said:

If you want beech, just buy them bare rooted in winter for under £2 each.

I don't  want to buy any trees, just wanted to perhaps make use of what's there if possible.  Seems not though!
I will have to remove them anyway as I don't want them taking over the tree as it is.