Take the Pain out of Tree Staking By Tony Glover, Regional Extension Agent

Question: I have seen people planting trees in their landscape and tying them to stakes. Is this a good idea or not?

Answer: Just like a good politician or Extension agent my answer is both yes and no. Small to medium-sized trees properly planted will never need staking. Larger trees may need temporary staking but there are lots of ways to make a mistake. I hope the information provided here will help you to avoid a "great moment in tree history" problem.

Tree staking is done to protect the tree from wind damage in the early establishment period. However, improper staking can reduce the trees root and trunk development and make it less able to withstand wind conditions after removal of the stakes. A good example of how this occurs in nature can be observed when an area is partially cleared for home construction. Most trees may be removed and the remaining trees are tall and spindly. The reason the trees are tall and spindly is related to two factors: one, is the crowding that existed prior to clearing and two, relates to the natural protection the trees toward the interior received from their neighbors. This natural protection acted a lot like staking and prevented the trees from moving as much. The lack of movement causes trees to grow straight up and to reduce the girth; hence the strength of the tree is reduced. The first really bad wind will sometimes break these trees off or blow them over. Therefore, if it is necessary to stake a tree, it is important to do it correctly to avoid potential problems in the future.

There are at least three important considerations: do not stake too high, too tightly, or for too long. The suggested height to place the tie is two-thirds the total tree height or as low as practical. This will allow for a little top movement that causes the tree to strengthen and makes the trunk thicker. Trees that can't move much at all tend to grow spindlier and become more top heavy, as mentioned earlier. Likewise, staking too tightly doesn't allow for this movement and it can girdle or strangle the plant. Always use something soft (like a cut up water hose) to contact the tree so a wound does not develop at the tying point. Lastly, the stakes and ties should be removed after a few months and certainly within a year. Many trees are killed by simply forgetting to remove the ties and stake.

The bottom line is most container grown or ball-and-burlapped plants do not need staking if planted correctly (unless very large). If trees must be staked place ties as low as possible, use flexible materials, and remove them as soon as the tree is rooted in well. The key to success is watering thoroughly the first few months after planting and let the new roots do the work of holding the tree in place.

Reference

Perry, Leonard. To stake or not to stake. University of Vermont Extension, Department of Plant and Soil Science. Retrieved March 29, 2006.

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