How to Support a Tree Against the Wind

Protect young trees from wind damage.

Young trees in the wild grow strong naturally, without the help of stakes. In the woods, trees grow up in the shelter of taller trees and are not affected by wind. According to the University of Arizona, young trees develop strong roots and trunks before they expend energy in growing vertically, and don't need staking. If you've planted a young tree in an open, windy environment, you may need to stake it until its roots are strong enough to anchor it properly.

Things You'll Need

• Tree stakes
• Hammer
• Plant ties

Instructions

1. Find an area of undisturbed, compacted soil near the trunk of the tree. Tree stakes driven into cultivated, loose soil will not hold.

2. Note the direction of prevailing winds. Place stakes on opposite sides of the tree, perpendicular to the direction of the wind. In other words, if the wind comes from the northwest, the stakes should be placed on the southwest and northeast sides of the tree. Their distance from the trunk is determined by where you find compacted soil.

3. Hammer the stakes at least 6 inches into the ground. Knot one end of the plant tie around the stake. Holding the trunk of the tree, move your hand up its length until you find a point where the tree does not bend in the wind. Knot the other end of the tie around the trunk, 6 inches above that point.

4. Stake and tie the opposite side of the tree as you did the first. Leave enough room in the knot and slack in the line so that the tree can flex slightly with the wind and the trunk can expand as it grows.

5. Check the stakes and ties periodically and reduce or increase the slack when necessary. Remove the stakes and ties after a year or two, when the tree has established enough strength to withstand winds on its own.

Tips & Warnings

• Plant trees at their proper depth. For strong winds on sloped areas, tilting the tree 5 degrees toward prevailing winds at the time of planting can help reduce leaning in the wind's direction.

• Don't tie those knots too tightly around the trunk or it will cause "girdling" as the trunk expands as it grows.

References

• Arizona Cooperative Extension: Staking Young Trees
• University of California Davis: Planting and Staking Young Trees
• University of Hawaii: Staking and Guying Newly Planted Trees

Resources

• University of Massachusetts: Staking Trees
• University of California Davis: Trunk Development of Young Trees