How to remove all root runners (Syringa)

What are root runners?

Lilacs form flowers and thus also seeds (at least if you let them), but reproduce mainly via so-called root runners. These are shoots that often appear several meters away from the mother bush root to drive. They soon develop their own roots and thus become independent of the mother plant. Sometimes, for example, when an old Cut down lilacs or severely cut back and its rhizome was left in the ground, several hundred shoots sprout from the ground.

What is the best way to remove root runners?

If you want to permanently remove root runners, you should neither chop them off, cut them off, nor simply drive over them with the lawnmower. The consequence would be that the shoots sprout again from their sleeping eyes lying underground - and often multiply due to the stress suffered. It is better, however, to proceed as follows:

• Dig a hole around the lilac runners.
• Look for its base, i. H. the place from which he was expelled.
• Remove it right here.
• So he can no longer drive out of any sleeping eyes that may be present.
• Close the hole again.

Especially after Dig out or removing an (old) lilac you should absolutely get all roots out of the ground. Otherwise, you will soon grow a lilac forest around the former location, as the roots increasingly rely on expulsion.

In this way you can prevent the development of root runners

No lilac has yet been grown, the no runners forms, but you can reduce this behavior with a few measures:

• Preferably buy noble lilacs that have been refined on non-runners.
• Be sure to keep the recommended minimum distance.
• Install one when you are planting Root lock.
• Avoid too much pruning of older lilacs.
• Even after a radical cut, root shoots often sprout.
• Avoid damaging the roots, for example by chopping.