Do NOT plant a Sissoo tree whatever you do!!! (popular in Phoenix area) (Avondale: house, garden) - Arizona (AZ) - City-Data Forum

LBTRS · 07-13-2013, 08:44 PM

Based off of advice from a landscape company, we planted a sissoo tree in our backyard five years ago when we moved to Phoenix. It has been a messy tree with lots of leaves and pods dropping which make a mess of the pool but I stay on top of it and it's manageable.

Well, now we have a bigger problem. We have hundreds of new sissoo trees growing up all over the yard, some as much as 40 feet away from the tree. I've been trying to kill them and I can't pull them as fast as they pop up. My yard is being overrun with the things.

After doing some reading on the internet this appears to be a common problem after the trees get past a certain age. I am now calling companies to see about removing the tree which is going to be a pain since all the roots have to be found and dug up in the yard or they will keep coming back even after the tree is gone.

What a mess, you've been warned...

AZgarden · 07-13-2013, 08:56 PM

Wow! Your yard must be more hospitable to Sissoos than mine. I have 2 planted in the back yard, one is about 8 and the other is about 2. I also have another in the front, which is a baby. They don't sprout at all in my yard like yours. I did find one sprout in the garden and tried to replant it, but it died. Granted they are very messy but offer such wonderful shade on a hot day.

Ponderosa · 07-13-2013, 08:59 PM

Love my sissoo. It is big and green and shady. Best tree I have ever had in AZ (well except for a peach tree I once had). No shoots here. Worst tree: eucalyptus.

Mine is not as old as yours though.

There are hundreds and hundreds of sissoos planted in Goodyear, Avondale and Laveen area along the sidewalks/streets. I wonder if they are causing problems.

EDnurse · 07-14-2013, 04:22 AM

I had 3 sissoos in my previous home for 12 years and I never had that problem. They did get rather large, but they only generated some litter in the winter time.

I suggest you consult an arborist.

Burning Madolf · 07-14-2013, 05:59 AM

I have 10 of them on my property. I'll be watching them like a hawk now.

observer53 · 07-14-2013, 06:17 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by LBTRS

Based off of advice from a landscape company, we planted a sissoo tree in our backyard five years ago when we moved to Phoenix. It has been a messy tree with lots of leaves and pods dropping which make a mess of the pool but I stay on top of it and it's manageable.

Well, now we have a bigger problem. We have hundreds of new sissoo trees growing up all over the yard, some as much as 40 feet away from the tree. I've been trying to kill them and I can't pull them as fast as they pop up. My yard is being overrun with the things.

After doing some reading on the internet this appears to be a common problem after the trees get past a certain age. I am now calling companies to see about removing the tree which is going to be a pain since all the roots have to be found and dug up in the yard or they will keep coming back even after the tree is gone.

What a mess, you've been warned...

Looks like a lot of folks feel your pain.... PlantFiles: Detailed information on Indian Rosewood Dalbergia sissoo

LBTRS · 07-14-2013, 08:38 AM

I had read several horror stories on the internet while searching for help but had not seen that site. I feel I'm now one of those people with a Sissoo from hell that I'll continue to battle for years.

I have no idea why it is working out so good for the rest of you and I hope it continues, for me the tree is a disaster.

Does anyone have any recommendations for an arborist?

Chelito23 · 07-14-2013, 09:45 AM

I have always wanted a Sisso. I admire them when I see them planted and thriving in the middle of a parking lot, putting out lush new growth on the hottest, most miserable days. The hotter it gets, they happier they seem to be. Great shade, nice color....so I was surprised when I read your complaint. I have never seen them sprout or volunteer on their own. Do you think it could be due to providing too nice of an environment where the seedlings fall? What if you stop irrigating in areas beyond the root zone of the tree? I would think that should prevent the seedligns from taking root.

LBTRS · 07-14-2013, 10:48 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Chelito23

I have always wanted a Sisso. I admire them when I see them planted and thriving in the middle of a parking lot, putting out lush new growth on the hottest, most miserable days. The hotter it gets, they happier they seem to be. Great shade, nice color....so I was surprised when I read your complaint. I have never seen them sprout or volunteer on their own. Do you think it could be due to providing too nice of an environment where the seedlings fall? What if you stop irrigating in areas beyond the root zone of the tree? I would think that should prevent the seedligns from taking root.

They are not "seedlings" from seeds, they are suckers from the root system. I can't stop irrigating because it is near a lawn (my dogs small spot) and the lawn would die. It has overtaken the lawn and moved past the lawn to rock areas that get no irrigation.

ibarrio · 07-14-2013, 11:12 AM

My old house had a Sissoo and we had the same problems. The shade was nice but not worth it.