The de-suckering gouge has been welded in several places where it broke while in use. Desuckering was a critical pruning operation in banana propagation. Each banana plant produces only one bunch and dies, however it also produces up to forty “suckers” as replacements. If left unchecked, the plants clump and become less productive. The grower would gouge out unwanted suckers, selecting for vigour and position. The replacement plant would usually be uphill, giving rise to the perception that the plants progressively march up hill.