unwanted shoots

[sue copster]

I have woody shoots appearing in borders and the lawn, they appear singley and in clumps, and grow (if I let them to a few feet tall) Thaye have a serrated edged leaf, which doesn't appear to match any other shrubs or trees in the garden. When I pull them they are attached to what appear to be roots criss crossing the garden , help how can i get rid of them

[Thunderbird+]

I can only take a wild guess at what these shoots are, could they be from a neighbouring garden or could the shoots be persisting from something thats been removed ?
'Staghorn Sumack' is one possibility I can think of.
I feel inclined to cut them off as soon as I see them, rather than let them get a few feet, this way you may, if lucky, exhaust the shoots of their energy, before they become established.
I hesitate suggesting using a weed killer, in case it puts you into conflict with a neighbour, who owns a tree near-by.
Good Luck Tbird+

[janen]

My instant reaction is the same..... they could be Rhus (staghorn sumach), so look to see if a neighbour has a tree with the same leaves. You should be able to keep them down in the lawn just by mowing, but pull or cut them out of the border as soon as you see them. I know a plot of land that is now a forest of these trees. Pretty in autumn but...... so good luck.

Janen