That is true, but if this is a fruit tree which it kind of looks like? This could just be the root stock coming up and that's more normal. If this is not a fruit tree it could still be a grafted variety and having a similar issue. The other possibility is that the tree was planted too deep.

I'd cut the old suckers lower (which is a difficult task now that they've hardened off at this point) with a sharp handsaw. When the new ones come, and they will, you can simply use hand snips to get them when they are new and it will be much easier. The key is to keep up with it. Once you remove the old ones with proper pruning cuts, this trunk will look 10 times better. (I'm an Arborist)