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Installing Stakes and Supports
About Staking Trees
Most young trees and tall, upright shrubs need support during their first several years to protect them from strong winds that might break or damage them.
Young trees need to move and sway in the wind to develop strong and sturdy trunks, main stems, branches, and laterals.
Research shows that trees allowed to sway naturally in the wind develop more anchor roots. They also produce wider trunk diameters than trees that were been rigidly staked. Most of their new wood is “reaction wood”—dense wood that withstands natural flexing.
Many young, newly planted trees benefit from loose support, provided by a pair of wooden stakes and loose ties.
Such trees have relatively thin trunks and large crowns subject to breaking in strong winds. They need help in remaining upright while still being able to flex. Other trees, those planted in sandy soils or in windy areas, for instance, must be staked to stabilize them until they establish solid root systems.
Very small trees or shrubs may be supported by a single stake.
Place a single stake on the upwind side of the tree, 8 inches (20 cm) from the trunk. Place the stake in the hole before you plant the tree. Driving stakes in later may unintentionally damage the roots.
Use a soft, slightly elastic material to tie the tree to the stake in a figure-eight loop at two or more points. Use cushions of rubber or scrap carpeting to protect the trunk from chafing.
Support larger trees with multiple stakes. Use three stakes if the tree is planted in a windy area, or if its trunk is greater than 3 inches (75 mm) in diameter. Place the stakes equal distances around the tree.
Otherwise, install two stakes opposite each other, aligned so they form a line through the tree at right angles to the wind.
Once the stakes are placed, extend two or more tree ties around the trunk in a horseshoe pattern.
When you stake a tree, be sure its tree ties are sufficiently loose. The tree should easily move in response to light winds—in most cases, 6–8 inches (10–15 cm) of movement is adequate.
After two growing seasons, remove support stakes unless the wood is still flexible, allow the tree to stand on its own.
Step-by-Step Instructions
Install plant stakes to provide support to young trees or tall shrubs during strong winds.
Tree ties attached to the stakes give room for the tree to flex. Always allow the trunk freedom to move 6–8 in. (15–20 cm) in every direction.
This flexing of tree trunks triggers the tree to develop dense wood that eventually resists winds without breaking.
Gather two wooden stakes and rubber tree ties, a stake-driving tool, hammer, nails, wire cutters, and gloves, then follow these steps:
How to Install Support Stakes With Ties
Set two stakes in place on opposite sides of the trunk. Position them at right angles to prevailing winds. If the installed stakes are too tall, cut them to size before driving them into the soil. Use a stake-driving tool to set each stake into the soil, about 14 in. (35 cm) from the trunk.
Loop a tree tie around the trunk with its cushioning rubber centered on the trunk. Set it about 12 in. (30 cm) from the top of the stake. Wrap the ties’ wires once around the stake, then secure it to the stake with a nail or screw.
Loop a second tie around the trunk in the same manner, weaving it in an overlap through the other tie. Check that the trunk has 6–8 in. (15–20 cm) or more room to move before it reaches its limit in the ties.
Repeat with the second tree tie, attaching its wires to the opposite stake with a nail. Cut off any dangling wire that could pose a safety hazard.