We planted some new trees this past fall and i was wondering is it best to stake young trees or not? All opinions welcome!
Greg
* * * * In the midst of the storm..I find the greatest Peace. I don't know what tomorrow holds..but i know Who holds tomorrow. Plants: 208 | From: Northern Illinois | Registered: Apr 2003
| Seeded: 64.24.153.57
posted
I don't like to stake trees. It tends to make them grow spindly and weak. Maybe that's because they were staked too long. I'm not sure. They say that a tree needs to bend in the wind to have a good root support system. Hopefully someone will be here shortly to give you the facts along with our opinions.
posted
Hi Greg. It is best not to stake trees unless the root system is inadequate for the size of the tree. If you are afraid the tree could blow over, then place 2 stakes, and tie the tree no more than 1/3 of the way up the trunk. The top must move with the wind.
* * * * Dave Even my growlights are getting restless! Plants: 2290 | From: norman, ok | Registered: Apr 2005
| Seeded: 69.30.170.166
posted
I'm jumping on the NO STAKING bandwagon too!!!
Unless it's loose, and TEMPORARY!!!
The reason for it only being temporary is because as with any plant out in the "wild" so to speak, MOTHER NATURE, when growing they grow themselves something called wind roots or anchor roots, when the wind blows them, they are signaled they need to send those roots out and stablize the tree.. Hence then they don't fall over...
but if you stake the tree, and let the stakes do the anchoring.... why would the tree/plant bother to put out roots, or if it does, why bother puttin out strong ones..(no need to)..
So, only do it, like Dave said... and don't leave them on long at all...
*even when you harden off seedlings' started indoors, they must be the same way, needing stablizing roots.. you can prepare them for wind if you're doing them indoors by placing a fan in their proximity..*
* * * * Weezie
Don't forget to be kind to strangers. For some who have done this have entertained angels without realizing it. - Bible - Hebrews 13:2
posted
I noticed that alot of trees in the neighbours yard grew on a 25 degree angle or so toward the east. (must be because of the strong winds I figure) So when I planted an ornamental crab tree in the front of my house, I planted it with a 25 degree angle toward the west. Low and behold, the tree grew straight as an arrow. Neat huh?
posted
Wow, Tamara! That's cool. Look at some really mature trees sometime...you'll notice that they are often taller on the north side...that's because the north side of the tree has to "reach" past the tall central growth in order to get into the sunlight. BTW...there's nothing wrong with staking a tree that "tilts" in order to bring it upright. I once had to winch a tree upright that had been hit by a car...it had been knocked over to about a 30 degree angle. It was about 35 feet tall, so I put an eye bolt about 20 feet up, and winched it with a cable to an anchor in the ground. Two years later I removed the cable, and the tree is still upright and doing fine 15 years later.
* * * * Dave Even my growlights are getting restless! Plants: 2290 | From: norman, ok | Registered: Apr 2005
| Seeded: 69.30.170.166
posted
Thank you everyone...i appreciate the help!
Greg :angel:
* * * * In the midst of the storm..I find the greatest Peace. I don't know what tomorrow holds..but i know Who holds tomorrow. Plants: 208 | From: Northern Illinois | Registered: Apr 2003
| Seeded: 64.24.153.141
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