How to Stake Trees

A whole hillside of staked fruit trees in a windy area

If your are in a wind-prone area, it is a good idea to stake a newly planted tree for the first year or two until the roots have spread deeply into surrounding soil. Here are some guidelines to staking a tree.

Instructions

1. 

   Plant your tree with the stakes driven deeply into the hole. Use one on either side. 2" - 3" lodge pole pine stakes are excellent to use for most young trees that are larger than 15 gallons. Small trees or fruit trees in 5 gallon pots can be staked with smaller supports.

2. 

   Use padded wire that will not score the tree when the wind creates motion to tie the tree to the stakes. A little motion is good to help develop stronger roots.

3. Only leave stakes in for one or two years. If you are in a particularly windy area with poor soil, you might need three years if the tree hasn't set in good roots. Keeping supports on too long will prevent the tree from the motion it needs to develop a good, strong root system. You also run the risk of strangling the trunk if it grows too big and the ties become too tight. Staking is really best used only to get the tree established in a windy area.

Resources

• Gates & Croft Horticultural Design Info and Ideas
• How to use trees in the landscape