| Tree stakes play a vital role in ensuring your tree | | | | not reach more than one third up the tree. There |
| is able to become established. It is very important | | | | should be a gap of 2.5-3cm between the stake |
| that the tree does not rock in the wind otherwise | | | | and the trunk of the tree, this can be created |
| the fine, fibrous root system that is trying to | | | | with a tree tie and a rubber bung. This method |
| develop will not be able to grow into the | | | | enables the trunk to move freely but anchors the |
| surrounding soil. A newly planted tree could take | | | | rootball to allow the roots to establish. Single |
| up to two seasons to establish itself. If the tree is | | | | stakes should be placed on the side that the wind |
| planted in a particularly windy or exposed area, | | | | blows in from so the tree does not blow into the |
| then we would recommend that you use a stake | | | | stake and cause rubbing against the trunk. |
| and tie system to stabilize the tree. | | | | A double stake and crossbar |
| Which stake should I use? | | | | This method is often used in a windy area to |
| With most trees a single, angled stake or a double | | | | provide maximum support. A small stake is placed |
| stake and crossbar system can be used. Trees | | | | either side of the rootball with a crossbar section |
| that have a flexible main trunk would benefit from | | | | connecting them. The tree is then secured using a |
| a taller stake being used in the first year of | | | | rubber tree tie and attaching it to the crossbar. |
| establishment and then this can be reduced in | | | | An angled stake |
| height in the trees second year. Large trees are | | | | This is another method often used when planting |
| sometimes secured using specialist underground | | | | trees on a windy site. Before the hole is backfilled |
| guying systems. These systems are generally | | | | when the tree is being planted, gently push the |
| used by specialist landscapers or tree planting | | | | stake securely into the ground at a 45 degree |
| specialists for mature specimen trees. | | | | angle leaning into the wind. Once the hole has |
| How do I stake my tree? | | | | been filled with soil and the stake is sturdy, attach |
| A single stake | | | | the tree to the stake using a rubber, flexible tree |
| This is normally inserted into the hole before the | | | | tie. |
| tree is planted. If you push a large stake into the | | | | With all staking methods the stake must be firmly |
| soil once the tree has already been planted you | | | | in the ground. If the stake is able to move then it |
| may damage the rootball. The single stake should | | | | will not be holding the rootball securely in place. |