Staking newly planted trees is necessary to prevent the movement of the roots. Movement can tear new roots, slowing down establishment. A newly planted tree will take a couple of growing seasons to anchor itself firmly in the soil.
Which stake is suitable?
With container-grown and rootballed trees use an angled stake or a pair of stakes.
With bare-root trees use a single low stake.
Single stake staking. Photograph copyright Dorling Kindersley With flexible stemmed trees provide more support in the first year with a long stake, cutting it lower in the second year.
Large trees, particularly when transplanted are sometimes secured with guys which can be attached to the lower branches or using an underground guying system.
Planting trees on a slope requires an angled stake.
Staking methods
Single low stake: The standard method of staking trees, usually inserted before the tree is planted. It should reach no more than one third of the height of the tree. This anchors the roots while allowing the stem to sway and thicken. There should be a gap of 2.5-3cm (1-1.25in) between the stem and the stake.
Guying a tree. Photograph copyright Dorling Kindersley Double stake: Two or three stakes can be inserted opposite each other or equally spaced around the tree outside the rootball. Useful in windy sites.
Guying: Use low stakes inserted at a 45 degree angle away from the tree to secure strong wire to. Rubber hosepipe should be used where the wire touches the stem or branches of the tree to prevent rubbing.
Photograph copyright Dorling Kindersley Angled stake: Can be driven in before or after planting at a 45 degree angle, leaning into the prevailing wind. Secure with a flexible tree tie - check all ties during the growing season and loosen if necessary.>
Tree ties
Adjustable ties with spacers allow ties to be loosened as the tree girth expands.
Tips
Whichever method is used the stake must be anchored firmly in the soil. If the stake can still move the roots will not be anchored firmly.
Single stakes should be inserted on the side of the prevailing wind so that the tree is blown away from the stake to prevent the tree rubbing.
Check the ties during the growing season, and loosen as necessary to avoid constricting the trees growth.
