Sonja Draven wrote: How can you tell they are suckers? Can I transplant mine too or does that mean doing so will damage the roots?
Ooops, I had lost track of this conversation thread.
You will want to dig one up, and it will be very apparent whether it has it's own root system or is sprouting from the main tree. Seedling roots will be rudimentary. Sucker roots are tough and heavy, and you will be cutting through the extended root to free the new tree. But don't worry about damage. Suckers are exhibiting the vigor of the entire plant. You will notice additional local root development at this point, adequate to sustain the new tree. Put it in water till you put it in the ground again. Even holding them for several days this way, my success rate has been 50% by the next season, and the parent tree is sending up even more suckers. I will soon have a full orchard in both locations. The birds will be ecstatic!