Water shoots on newish palmatum.

[Mike Corazzi]

Could water deprivation make fewer water shoots?

 

[Paradox]

Um what do you mean by "water shoots". I have never seen this term before

 

[Shibui]

I understand 'water shoots' to be vigorous shoots usually growing from the base of a trunk.
Not sure how that fits in with the OP question?

 

[sorce]

Sounds like your Pal Matum needs Pepto!

Unless making an ever growing forest, I'd burn it!

For me, dealing with these is like painting under a leaky.....fecal pipe.

Sorce

 

[Bnana]

Did you cut it back really hard?
If a tree has enough stored energy they can try to restore the root/shoot radio by growing water shoots.

 

[Gabler]

Are water shoots the same as suckers?

 

[Bnana]

No, water shoots can grow anywhere on a tree and look like the juvenile growth form with soft branches and large leaves.
Poplars often have this after they are cut back hard.

 

[Gabler]

No, water shoots can grow anywhere on a tree and look like the juvenile growth form with soft branches and large leaves.
Poplars often have this after they are cut back hard.

Gotcha. I’ve always just called it coarse growth. I‘ve always found it to be pretty standard after a hard chop, but it grows quickly, and the large leaves make lots of glucose to help the tree recover, both of which I find desirable.

 

[Gabler]

Plus, the soft shoots are easily wired just as they start to lignify.

 

[Mike Corazzi]

No, water shoots can grow anywhere on a tree and look like the juvenile growth form with soft branches and large leaves.
Poplars often have this after they are cut back hard.

This.
Pesky big, soft stems with BEEEG crumply leaves that are funky.
They turn pinkish insread of green. Well, kinda green-ish.
This was a seedling gift from a neighbor who treats them like pests.
My location is not maple friendly.
I just cut them out where they hide.
Not a big deal.....just curious.

 

[Shibui]

In that case water deprivation will definitely limit the number and size of those strong shoots but it may also endanger the entire tree if you get it just a bit wrong.
Limiting nutrients will also limit strong shoots but could also limit necessary growth.

I agree the best solution is to prune. With maples that requires regular checks in the interior of the tree. Those new shoots can grow from a lower branch right up through the canopy before you notice. Left unchecked they can ruin taper and relative branch thickness.