Q. Should a newly planted 36″ boxed purple robe black locust tree
have it’s nursery stake removed? I sent you a picture of it.
have it’s nursery stake removed? I sent you a picture of it.
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| Readers Purple Robe Black Locust staked. |
A. Larger trees need their roots stabilized for one to
two growing seasons and then the stakes removed. In your case the tree has poor
trunk strength since the trunk has no taper to it and the trunk will snap in
high winds.
two growing seasons and then the stakes removed. In your case the tree has poor
trunk strength since the trunk has no taper to it and the trunk will snap in
high winds.
Immobilize
the roots by re-staking the tree. Let side branches develop along the trunk to improve
trunk taper and strengthen it. Normally, a tree with good trunk taper can have
its stakes removed after one to two growing seasons. A tree with poor trunk
taper will require a longer period of staking to strengthen the trunk AND give
it solid rooting into the surrounding soil.
the roots by re-staking the tree. Let side branches develop along the trunk to improve
trunk taper and strengthen it. Normally, a tree with good trunk taper can have
its stakes removed after one to two growing seasons. A tree with poor trunk
taper will require a longer period of staking to strengthen the trunk AND give
it solid rooting into the surrounding soil.
Allowing
side branches to grow along the trunk helps promote taper in the trunk reducing
its need for staking after one season.
side branches to grow along the trunk helps promote taper in the trunk reducing
its need for staking after one season.
Ideally,
the tree should have small stems growing from the trunk covered in leaves,
removing them only when they reach about pencil diameter. This increases stem
taper, reduces the possibility of shear or snapping in high winds.
the tree should have small stems growing from the trunk covered in leaves,
removing them only when they reach about pencil diameter. This increases stem
taper, reduces the possibility of shear or snapping in high winds.
Trees
also need to “sway” in the wind. This swaying or movement of the trunk from
side to side also helps to develop taper in the trunk. But the roots of the
tree need to hold the trunk in place at the bottom.
also need to “sway” in the wind. This swaying or movement of the trunk from
side to side also helps to develop taper in the trunk. But the roots of the
tree need to hold the trunk in place at the bottom.
This
tree will need to be staked for awhile to keep the trunk from snapping.
Probably at least one season. I would probably restake the tree with either two
or three stakes to support the trunk and keep it from bending to the point
where it could snap and immobilize the roots.
tree will need to be staked for awhile to keep the trunk from snapping.
Probably at least one season. I would probably restake the tree with either two
or three stakes to support the trunk and keep it from bending to the point
where it could snap and immobilize the roots.
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| Large trees usually need stakes to support the trunk. The stakes should be driven deep enough so that they are in solid soil. The support from the stakes should be low enough to allow the top of the tree to move but keep the rootball from moving. |
Two
methods used for re-staking include a two to three stake method with the stakes
driven into the solid soil beneath the rootball. The other way is to use guy
wires to stabilize the tree. I supplied pictures that I will also post on my
blog.
methods used for re-staking include a two to three stake method with the stakes
driven into the solid soil beneath the rootball. The other way is to use guy
wires to stabilize the tree. I supplied pictures that I will also post on my
blog.
This
next year let small branches grow from the trunk if they develop. These will
increase the strength of the trunk and help reduce sun damage to it as well. Remove
older branches from the trunk when they get larger than a pencil in diameter.
Cut them off flush with the trunk. Do not use pruning paint.
next year let small branches grow from the trunk if they develop. These will
increase the strength of the trunk and help reduce sun damage to it as well. Remove
older branches from the trunk when they get larger than a pencil in diameter.
Cut them off flush with the trunk. Do not use pruning paint.