STAKING A TREE

For very large trees, say those over 30cm girth (girth is the circumference one metre above the ground for a single-stemmed tree), special staking methods may be needed which can only be undertaken by professionals. For smaller trees however it is usually practical to undertake staking oneself. The basic intention is to stop the root system of the plant from moving in the wind whilst allowing the trunk to flex. It is also important to prevent the roots from being broken by the stakes during planting.

One modern way to approach staking is to think of the stem and branches of a tree in a similar way to the muscles of an animal's body - they are both strengthened by use. Thus allowing a tree to move in the wind without allowing the roots to move is likely to create a stronger tree in the long term. For trees with clear stems in situations of normal wind exposure a tree should be staked with a single stake driven in at 45degrees to the vertical and crossing the tree trunk about 450mm or 18inches above the ground. The stake should be driven in outside the rootball. A rubber tree tie should be tied round the tree and attached to the stake and a rubber cushion placed between the tree and the tree tie. These ties will need to be inspected each year and loosened as the tree grows.

In very windy siuations or for larger trees, say greater than 20cm girth, two short stakes with a wooden cross piece are best used. The cross piece has a rubber cushion attached between it and the tree and rubber tries are used to bind the tree to the cushion.

Very large trees may need ground anchors, or bracing using wires attached to the branches of the tree, but these are more jobs for professionals.