How to Brace Trees

Brace trees immediately after planting them.

Newly planted trees sometimes require additional support because the top of the tree is larger than the root ball. The process of growing the sapling in a container or digging it up to sell as a bare-root tree makes the root ball too small to support the canopy. Providing some additional bracing the first one to two years after planting keeps the tree upright while the tree sends out new, stronger roots in its permanent bed. Even trees with large root balls benefit from bracing, because the braces prevent the trees from moving too much and breaking the tender, newly planted roots.

Things You'll Need

• Stakes
• Soft rope

Instructions

1. Support the trees using a single 3-foot-tall stake for trees with a trunk diameter of 2 inches or less. Employ two stakes for a trunk that is 2 to 4 inches in diameter and three stakes for a trunk larger than 4 inches.

2. Push the stake into the soil 12 inches out from the trunk of the tree. Embed the bottom 10 to 12 inches of the stake in the ground so that it's securely anchored.

3. Install a second stake, if applicable, on the opposite side of the trunk from the first stake. If three stakes are used, place them about 18 inches apart to form a triangle around the trunk.

4. Wrap a soft rope around the tree trunk, 18 to 24 inches up from the ground. Cross the ends of the tie, forming the rope into a figure-eight. Tie the loose ends of the rope to the stake. Avoid tying too tightly and pulling on the trunk. The young sapling requires some give in the rope so it can move naturally in the wind, otherwise breakage may occur.

5. Tie a rope around the trunk for each stake, using the figure-eight configuration. Leave 2 to 3 inches between each rope on the trunk so the ropes aren't all wrapping around the tree at the same spot. The figure-eight wrapping prevents the rope from rubbing on the tree trunk, causing bark damage.

6. Check the ropes once monthly. Loosen them if necessary, as they may become too tight as the trunk grows in diameter. Move or adjust tightness of the ropes if they are damaging the bark on the tree.

7. Remove the ropes when the tree is 1 to 2 years old and fully established. Trees require bracing only during establishment, when their roots are anchored enough in the soil to keep the tree upright.

Tips & Warnings

• Rubber tree braces serve the same purpose as ropes but are made to minimize damage to the trunk. Tree braces are available at most garden centers.

• Mature trees rarely require bracing, as braces eventually weaken and damage the tree trunk. Consult a licensed tree care technician if you need bracing for an established, mature tree.

References

• Cornell University: Homeowner's Guide to Beautiful, Safe and Healthy Trees
• University of Nebraska Extension; Support for Newly Planted Trees; Don Janssen; October 2003