water sprout
noun
: a vigorous upright shoot from an adventitious or latent bud on the trunk or main branch of a tree
Examples of water sprout in a Sentence
Recent Examples on the Web
Shape the tree: Trim long, leggy branches or water sprouts, which are the fast-growing, thorny shoots, by cutting just above an outward-facing bud to direct new growth outwards, keeping the tree manageable and balanced.
—
Sj McShane, Martha Stewart, 16 Jan. 2026
Remove any suckers growing from the base of the tree, upright shoots (called water sprouts) growing along the trunk or branches, or branches or shoots growing toward the tree trunk.
—Karen Brewer Grossman, Southern Living, 16 Nov. 2025
Cut off all vertical shoots or water sprouts on your citrus and avocado trees.
—Joshua Siskin, Oc Register, 26 Sep. 2025
Remove any water sprouts—boldly upright growing green stems rising from interior branches.
—Megan Hughes, Better Homes & Gardens, 5 Aug. 2025
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Sj McShane, Martha Stewart, 16 Jan. 2026
Remove any suckers growing from the base of the tree, upright shoots (called water sprouts) growing along the trunk or branches, or branches or shoots growing toward the tree trunk.
—Karen Brewer Grossman, Southern Living, 16 Nov. 2025
Cut off all vertical shoots or water sprouts on your citrus and avocado trees.
—Joshua Siskin, Oc Register, 26 Sep. 2025
Remove any water sprouts—boldly upright growing green stems rising from interior branches.
—Megan Hughes, Better Homes & Gardens, 5 Aug. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Water sprout.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/water%20sprout. Accessed 1 Feb. 2026.
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