I planted some ten Cleveland Pear trees some 3 years ago. They are
about 10 feet high now.

Thing is - some of them are showing something that I have not
encountered before in my long life.

They have grown with roots emanating outward (not downward) some
inches below the surface, Now growths are emanating upward from the
roots somewhat like suckers would. There are several such growths - a
foot or less high until I clip them off.

I am not sure what to do. Am I damaging the main trees by cropping
off the growths? How can I stop them? Am I stuck with them?

I fear that maybe the ground is so hard that the root systems can not
go downward and so that is the root of my problem. If so, there is
not much that I can do I guess.

Anyone?

Thanks