How to Brace a Tree With a Stake

Saplings sometimes need protection from the wind.

Newly planted trees or young saplings are often vulnerable to the wind because of underdeveloped root systems and thin trunks. This is especially the case if the tree is in an open area subject to high winds. A simple way to provide the tree with extra support is to brace it with stakes, but care must be taken to avoid damaging the tree with the very stakes and ties meant to support it.

Things You'll Need

• Measuring tape
• Wood stake(s)
• Hand trowel
• Sledgehammer
• Nylon line or plastic tree ties
• Staple gun
• Staples

Instructions

1. Determine the stake height. Bend the tree trunk to determine where the trunk has flexibility and note where the trunk resists bending. Measure from the ground to that point and add 28 inches to this measurement. The stake must be 10 inches taller than the flexible point and be buried in the ground to a depth of 18 inches. If the flexible point is 30 inches from the ground, the stakes must be around 58 inches long.

2. Determine how far the tree's root ball extends out from the base of its trunk. If you recently planted the tree yourself, this is obvious and easy. If the tree grew up naturally, probe the ground with a hand trowel.

3. Drive a stake 18 inches into the ground with a sledgehammer, placing it outside the root ball and on the windward side of the tree, the side upwind from the area's prevailing wind. Drive a second stake on the opposite side if the tree needs extra bracing.

4. Tie a line or flexible plastic tie in a slightly taut figure eight, with a loop around the tree and a loop around the stake, placing the tie about 6 inches above the flexible point on the trunk. If you drove a second stake, tie a figure eight between the tree trunk and that stake as well.

5. Staple the figure-eight tie(s) to the stake(s).

Tips & Warnings

• The stake needs to be 10 inches taller than the tree's flexible point because the tree is braced at 6 inches above the same point. The stake needs a little extra height so the tie remains secure and doesn't ride up and off the top.

• Avoid tying the loops on too tightly, since this will bend either the stakes or the tree in what should be the resting position.

• Remove the stakes after a year. If the tree still requires bracing, the growth of the trunk demands newer, taller stakes.

References

• University of Hawaii at Manoa Cooperative Extension; Staking and Guying Newly Planted Trees; Ginny Meade, et al.; June 1998
• Trees Are Good; New Tree Planting; September 2005