How long stake new trees

Meet the team. Shop plants rhsplants. Shopping with the RHS. RHS Christmas gifts. Help us achieve our goals Make a donation. Join the RHS today and support our charity Join now. Save to My scrapbook. Quick facts. Suitable for: Newly planted standard trees and shrubs Timing: Autumn to early spring Difficulty: Moderate to difficult. Jump to Suitable for When to stake trees How to stake trees Using tree ties and ground anchors Problems.

Suitable for When to stake trees Stake trees as soon as they are planted and replace stakes whenever they fail. How to stake trees There are a number of different staking methods, depending on the type of tree, tree size and method of planting.

Single stake This is the standard method for staking bare-root trees, with the stake inserted before planting. For most trees: the stake should be one-third of the height of the tree. This anchors the roots and allows the stem to sway and thicken For tress with long or flexible stems: use long, vertical stake, cutting it lower in the second year. There should be a gap of 2. Double stake This is the standard method of staking container-grown and rootballed trees.

Angled stake An angled stake is used for trees planted on slopes. Guying Guying is particularly useful for large trees when transplanted. Using tree ties and ground anchors Tree ties Special tree ties are available made of durable, long-lasting plastic, with buckles for fastening and adjustment. These ties can be loosened as the tree girth expands Use spacers to prevent the stem and stake rubbing against each other Make a figure of eight to hold the tree to the stake, with the spacer in between the tree and the stake, and secure the tie to the stake with a nail In an emergency an old pair of tights can be used as a rough and ready tree tie.

Ground anchors Ground anchors are essentially underground staking systems. Problems Most problems with staking come from ties becoming too tight or from damage after storms. Check the ties regularly for rubbing and adjust if necessary. Constriction of the stem by ties happens very quickly, so fast growing trees need frequent checking After bad weather, check for abrasion and snapped stakes or ties Deer , rabbits and other mammals may harm newly planted trees.

You may also like. Movement also encourages a tree trunk to taper, making it thicker at the base and thinner toward the top of the trunk. This young conifer tree is growing well without any kind of staking. As usual, it depends! This will keep its trunk vertical as the rootball and lateral branches develop.

But professionals also understand that a large transplanted tree, either field or container-grown, may not have enough of a root system to support its dense or spreading crown, particularly if its planted in an exposed or windy site.

This is when staking is most useful. And whips establish in place, so their roots and crown develop in direct response to their growing conditions, ensuring future stability.

Likewise, a narrow, upright tree may be less likely to need staking in comparison with a spreading, dense-crowned tree. This is because windy conditions often determine staking needs; a large, wind-catching tree crown with a small rootball is more likely to be pushed over. Better methods for protecting these trees are to always keep a ring of mulch around the base of the tree , or to erect a fence to encircle and protect the tree. Soft, flexible ties should be attached to the stakes and tied to loosely encircle the trunk.

You want to encourage movement of the tree while providing gentle support, not immobilize it. Tying a tree so that it cannot move is also a problem.

The top of the tree will move freely in the wind but all movement will suddenly stop where the tree is tied. As a result, it can cause the trunk to snap off just above the attachment point. Attach your ties at the lowest practical height.

Never use rigid, hard, or abrasive ties , or any ties that wholly immobilize the tree. Wire ties are a major cause of damage to newly-planted trees, as are zip ties, plastic rope, or an otherwise flexible material pulled too tight.

A general rule is from six months to two years maximum, but trees should be examined regularly and stakes removed as soon as a tree is stable. If so, learn some staking trees methods and how long to keep a tree staked. Only stake your tree if it needs extra support, protection or help staying anchored.

There are times when you should stake trees, though. Remove the nursery stakes, and find two or three stakes wooden or metal.

Place your hand on the trunk and see where it needs to be steadied. Place the two stakes opposite each other and about 1. Use the third stake only if needed and put on an open side of the tree. Use a soft material, like canvas strapping or tree staking straps, to attach the stakes. Allow enough slack, so the tree can naturally sway. Generally, remove the stake the next growing season. If you add a stake in spring, remove in fall.

If you stake in fall, remove in spring. Also, make sure you always remove the wire around the branches! The tree can eventually grow around the wires, which could potentially cut off the flow of water and nutrients. About Cookies on this site Davey uses cookies to make your experience a great one by providing us analytics so we can offer you the most relevant content.