It’s Time to Remove Your Tree Stakes!

July 21, 2014

Staking of newly planted trees is not always necessary, but in all situations, tree staking should be considered temporary. Many trees are staked early on but never have the stakes and guy wires removed later. In fact, staking can have detrimental effects on the development of a tree.

Staking of newly planted trees is not always necessary, but in all situations, tree staking should be considered temporary. Many trees are staked early on but never have the stakes and guy wires removed later. In fact, staking can have detrimental effects on the development of a tree.

Staked trees may become injured or girdled from the staking materials. Almost every response to support staking prevents a tree from becoming strong. For the most part, the sooner a tree can stand alone, the sooner it will become strong. Yet, staking does play a valuable part, if done properly, in protecting young trees from equipment, animals, strong winds and vandalism.

Stakes left too long eventually will come in contact with the trunk or limbs and wear off tender bark as the tree sways in the wind. Guy wires that are not removed may become embedded in the tree as the wood grows around the wires. This can actually damage or even cut the tubes located just under the bark that carry sugars from the leaves to the roots. Damage to these important conduits interrupts the flow of needed energy to the roots and essentially starves the roots to death. Both rubbing and embedding injuries can be fatal to trees.

Abbey Moor Homeowners Association

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