We cut down an apple tree in our yard (2 yrs.ago) to make room for a flower bed, but now in the area that the large canopy of branches covered, I keep getting little apple tree sprouts, they are really persistent! They look like potato eye sprouts except they are dark red/purple. I think it must be the root system trying to make a comeback. The sprouts come up through the thick wood chip mulch and are everywhere. Is there a way to get rid of them? I try to pick them when I can, but I'm afraid they will take over if I let them be!