I planted three good-sized maple trees last spring that I want to develop uniformly. One had the top broken and has started growing three new tops. The trees have sprouted some small branches on the lower trunks. My neighbor said I should not use the line trimmer that I have been using to trim the grass growing around them. What do you advise?
Your neighbor is giving you good advice. A line trimmer nicks the bark a little bit every time you use it. After several uses, it can cut completely through the bark. The inner bark contains veins that carry food produced by the leaves to the roots. This can stunt the trees because the roots do not receive enough food to fully develop.
Grass growing around the base of the trees competes with the trees for water and nutrients, slowing tree growth. A 6-foot-diameter circle of grass-free soil should be maintained around each tree. Black weed barrier fabric placed over this area will kill the grass and prevent new weeds from growing. Weed barrier fabric has holes for air and water movement. You can cover the fabric with bark dust to improve appearance.
Select the straightest sprout on the tree with the broken top and remove the others. If new sprouts develop, continue to remove or shorten them so only one top grows. If more than one top is allowed to develop, the connection between them will be very weak and subject to storm damage.
