Does my tree need staking?

How to stake your tree

Does it need staking?
When a tree is young, one of the most important things you need to provide for it in addition to water and nutrients is support. If you don’t guide a young somehow, it may end up growing in a certain direction and it may be damaged by high winds, which could cause the trunk to snap.

Staking should also prevent the movement of the root ball being moved around, because this is not a great thing for a young tree to go through. Your tree needs to send down it's roots, and if it has too much movement that will not happen very easily.

This apple seedling will need staking when it gets a bit taller; it's trunk will be very thin for a while as it grows, and will need support.

How to do it
The most popular method of keeping young trees upright is to put long stakes into the ground on either side, and tie loops around the tree. Each loop should be fairly loose to allow for further expansion of the trunk. Many of people just have a stake on one side of the tree, but this is not good practice because it only offers support if the tree is being pushed in a certain direction. Though if the spot you have chosen to plant has a prevailing wind, one stake may be sufficient because the tree won't be buffeted from all angles.

Large trees may not need staking
If you're planting a larger tree it may not need staking. The trunk does need some movement, as this will strengthen it.

Take care
When staking your tree, be careful what you use to tie around the truck. Old stockings are good as they are soft, stretchy and non-abrasive. Gardening stores will have special tapes and ties for staking trees and other garden plants. Make sure you do not tie too tightly around the truck as this can damage your tree.

What to use for a stake
Any strong, straight stick can be used as a stake. Garden centers will sell strong stakes for this purpose but many gardens and sheds may contain some stakes as well. Old fence palings are useful, see what else you can scrounge. If your stakes are pointed on one end they will be easier to drive into the ground.

When to remove a stake
When your tree has been staked long enough to stand on its own, you should carefully remove the stakes from the ground. Make sure your tree is strong enough to withstand buffeting winds and it's trunk is strong enough to hold the whole tree upright.