What have I got here?

Jerry-B-WI

5 year old buck +
Are these water sprouts or root suckers? Pictures are of two different trees I have, one Fireside and one Haralred. Should I just cut them off this winter while I'm pruning?IMG_0221.jpgIMG_0223.jpgIMG_0224.jpg
 
First one may be above the graft, other two images are up from the root stock.
 
I’d generally remove those when I see it. I noticed rootstock suckers on a sour cherry this weekend. Gone that day so I don’t have to remember to do it later.
 
I normally cut them off come winter but I have done it other times of year also I can’t seem to truly tell any difference on time of year and pruning them off. Some root stock just seems to sucker more than others. I have a semi standard Macintosh and two Red Delicious that are bad about the root suckers they where all purchased from the same source many years ago and I am uncertain of the root stock. I have Harrelson, Enterprise, Liberty, Fireside, William’s Pride and Freedom all planted in the same orchard that never root sucker but I do believe they are on a different route stock at least they where ordered from a different vendor. This was back before I was particular about the root stock I ordered. My current favorite for my soil is M111.
 
If I see water sprouts OR root suckers, I cut them off right away. That way they don't suck energy and nutrients from the growth of the tree or desired fruit. I read that pruning either can be done at any time of the year.

From my own experience, I've cut water sprouts off just above the bark ring and they grew NICE new water sprouts for grafting purpose the following year. The water sprouts were ABOVE the graft on an existing tree. FWIW.
 
Top