Fall is a great time to plant fruit trees like apples and pears. Many nurseries and garden centers suggest staking the tree to give it additional support as it is getting established in its new (and potentially permanent) home. However, this isn’t always the best course of action as we’ll discuss in this garden tip.
First of all, when should you stake a tree?
There are a few reasons when to stake a tree. The first is if you happen to have a young tree with a disproportionately small root ball compared to its crown of leaves. This holds the root ball firmly in the soil, allowing new roots to grow and anchor itself into its new home.
The next reason to stake a tree is if you live in an especially windy area. Too much wind will rock the root ball back and forth, causing the tree not to take root and potentially causing root rot where excess water can collect.
The final reason to stake a tree is in high traffic areas – whether from lawn mowers or other machinery, or from excessive foot traffic around it. You can generally avoid issues like this by creating a tree ring of mulch around your new tree.
Regardless of the reason when you stake a tree, remember that stakes should be temporary, especially to make sure you don’t forget about the ties that can potentially girdle a tree.
If you must stake your tree, here are a few tips to keep in mind. Use 2×2 stakes and drive them at least 18 inches into the ground. Try to position them in line with the prevailing wind. Ensure the stakes are placed no more than 1/3 up the height of the tree and don’t tie the stakes too closely that the trunk cannot move at all. Be sure to remove stakes once the tree no longer needs it. You’ll know the tree is properly anchored by moving the trunk of the tree. If the root ball does not move then the stake is no longer necessary.
When shouldn’t you stake a tree?
If the tree has a strong, healthy, proportionate root ball, it shouldn’t need staking. Allowing the tree to move freely (assuming winds are more moderate) encourages it to grow both longer and thicker roots and trunks, ensuring better overall long term health.
Staking a tree that does not need it can do more harm than good. Movement of the trunk helps strengthen it by thickening it and giving it taper from bottom to top. Trunk movement also stimulates root growth. So although staked trees might grow taller faster than their unstaked counterparts, their trunks are weaker and their root systems are less developed.
Staked trees may appear to grow faster than unstaked trees, though this is often at the expense of a strong and sturdy root system. Trees are generally meant to be planted for the long term.
Cover Image by Sindre Dahle, used under its Creative Commons license.
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