How to Stake a Jatropha Tree

The tropical jatropha tree is an evergreen that has glossy leaves and bright scarlet red flowers. It has thin trunks that can easily be pruned to the shape that best fits your landscape design. It would make a colorful specimen plant and attracts hummingbirds and butterflies. The early stages of growing a young jatropha plant may require staking of its thin trunk. Staking should only be in place until the roots are well-established.

Things You'll Need

• Two 1-by-2-inch pieces of wood no longer than 2/3 the height of the tree, plus 24 inches
• A large mallet or sledge hammer
• A ball of thick twine or nylon (to stabilize the tree)
• Tape measure

Instructions

1. 

   Gardening is rewarding hard work.

   With your tape measure, measure 2 feet from the tree trunk and mark a spot on either side of the tree. This is where you will place your garden stakes.

2. 

   Mallet

   With the mallet, drive the garden stakes into the ground approximately 2 feet.

3. 

   Use a thick twine to stake your tree.

   Tie the twine or string to each garden stake. Then tie the twine or string to the tree. Tie the twine loosely so that the tree is able to move slightly in all directions. If the tree cannot move, it will not grow properly or establish a good root system.

4. 

   Remove staking at the right time for successful growth.

   Remove the staking at the right time by monitoring your jatropha tree's growth. When the root system becomes established (usually by the end of the first year after planting), it is time to remove the staking materials.

Tips & Warnings

• Metal stakes can also be used instead of wooden stakes.

• Metal wire should never be used to tie the tree to the stakes.

References

• Grounds Keeper: How to Stake a Tree