Staking Trees at time of Planting

[Tr33Climb3r]

I use three foot long, untreated white wood 1"x2" stakes, sharpened to a dagger end. I rip them myself from 2x4 lumber, as I haven't found any production wood stakes available with as sharp of a tip as I need. I really want them to be vampire killers. I use the same rotary hammer I use for lightning protection system ground rods, with a 3/4" x 3' masonry bit to make pilot holes. I pour a little water in them to lube them up and soften the soil a bit, and then use the rotary hammer with a special fitting to drive the stakes in nice and neat, without mushrooming the top of the stake, so that I've still got sound wood to which the cross pieces can be screwed.

A study was done some years back using 2x2 stakes of the same length as a proof of concept. I use 1x2 (3/4"x1.5") stakes in my process, because I can manufacture them relatively easily, and install them efficiently with light equipment in the field. I figure I've still got approximately 66% of the below-ground friction surface I'd have with 2x2 material, and all the trees I've installed in that process have fared exceptionally well.

I would really like to see some pics of this! Sounds way cheaper than t-posts. Can you email me? Casey@selnertreeshrubcare.com

 

[DSMc]

Some other things to consider. Staking the root ball works best on B&B stock, which also are the least likely to need extra support. It also encourages not messing with the burlap and wire, which is not in best practices, to ensure the staking holds well. A bareroot planting is much harder to ground stake and almost always needs some support. Above ground stakes can serve as protective structure that depending on location can be of prime importance.

If you are writing specs, give them latitude.

 

[guymayor]

Nice tweak going from 2x2 to 1x2, Richard!

Yes, staking should be a Should, but no reason to discourage the practice.

 

[southsoundtree]

People will be more away of freshly installed trees if loosely staked. Parents will keep some kids away from the trees. Wind is unavoidable, so are kids.



This might be a shocking idea, but the stake is a great place of a weatherproof informational sign. EDUCATE!

"Please let me grow strong roots. Leaf me alone."

Staking and watering guidelines, staking info, in addition to species and needs.

"Please Remove My Straps and Stakes by Aug 2020" or what not.



Definitely not t-posts. Untreated wood, all the way. I've ripped a 2x4 into 2 stakes, before, out of necessity. Just buy a 2x2 and put a diagonal cut on the end. A scrap of 2x4 held on the top will be useful to prevent splitting while pounding.

Remember to stake far enough out that you don't hit roots. Ideally, the stakes would be held by undisturbed soil, outside the wide, shallow planting hole.

 

[dmonn]

When you DO stake trees, what's your favorite material to use to attach the tree to the stake?

 

[folium arboris]

When you DO stake trees, what's your favorite material to use to attach the tree to the stake?

Panty hose!

 

[ATH]

I use Arbor Tie or AM Leonard's Tree Tie webbing.

 

[JD3000]

I use Arbor Tie or AM Leonard's Tree Tie webbing.

Same here.

 

[mdvaden]

Half the replies above can circumvent your questions, but the ideas are good.

I'd prefer "optional" but it would depend on whether planting is done most often by competent arborists or expert landscapers.

It should go without argument that stakes can be a waste sometimes. But requiring stakes removes the chance of some bad decisions. Unless, someone ties in a way where forgetting the staking stores a girdling problem.

A requirement to stake, would obviously require a standard for how to secure, and maybe also when to remove.

 

[evo]

Half the replies above can circumvent your questions, but the ideas are good.

I'd prefer "optional" but it would depend on whether planting is done most often by competent arborists or expert landscapers.

It should go without argument that stakes can be a waste sometimes. But requiring stakes removes the chance of some bad decisions. Unless, someone ties in a way where forgetting the staking stores a girdling problem.

A requirement to stake, would obviously require a standard for how to secure, and maybe also when to remove.

I see more damage with forgotten staked trees, than up ended newly planted trees..

 

[evo]

When you DO stake trees, what's your favorite material to use to attach the tree to the stake?

What ever is on hand... Some times I've used flagging tape for very small bareroot plantings, I've used dynamic cabling scraps, spliced for bigger ball and burlaped trees.. It's not rocket science, and as long as its in proportion, and soft and flexible anything goes in my book.
Not wire and garden hose..