Tips on Using Tree Stakes for Planting Trees

by Murray Anderson

Considering planting some new trees in your yard this spring? Trees add real beauty to a yard while providing welcome shade for you and your house during the long, hot summer months. However, trees don't plant themselves, and they're usually expensive, so if you're going to go to make the effort to plant some trees, here's some thoughts on how to do it properly as ell s take care of them.

Here's what you'll need

Shovel (possibly a pick as well)
Spray paint
Wheel barrow
Compost or fertilizer
Hammer
Wood, plastic or metal tree stakes
Rope or strong material to provide support
Wide soft material to wrap around tree trunk

Planting Your New Trees

The time to plant bare most deciduous trees is when they're dormant. Depending on where you live this usually means from November until around March. While you obviously can't plant a tree when the ground is frozen you also don't want to plant it when the ground is newly thawed and waterlogged either.

Evergreens have a slightly longer planting season, running from September in the fall up to April or even May in the spring.

Container grown trees can be planted throughout the year, just be sure to keep them well watered after putting them in the ground.

Where to Plant
Try to pick a spot at least 20 feet away from your house and away from any permanent structures so as the tree grows its branches won’t cause any damage. Also, avoid any overhead wires and be sure to call your local utilities at least 3 days before you plan to dig and have them come and mark their buried lines.
After you've found the ideal spot, draw a circle on the ground about twice the size of the tree pot or root ball, with spray paint or flour. Use a straight bladed shovel to cut through the top sod, and then remove it.
Depending on your soil conditions you might want to loosen the dirt with a pick ax before you start to dig. Put the soil from the hole into a wheelbarrow or large container and get rid of any rocks that you might find while digging.
Dig the hole to same depth as the root ball of the tree (no deeper).
If the tree is in a plastic pot, take it out of the pot and lightly score the edges of the roots with a knife to help loosen them. If your tree is wrapped in a burlap sack, place the tree into the center of the hole and then cut away the burlap and take it out of the hole.
Mix fertilizer or compost and peat moss in with the soil you dug out of the hole, then fill the hole about 1/3 full, compact it loosely then give water it. Ad the next third of the soil the next third than pack and water it as well. Finally, fill the hole even with the surrounding ground and give you’re newly planted tree a good long drink of water.
You can put some organic mulch around the tree base to cove the exposed soil and help conserve moisture and prevent weeds. (Just be sure to leave an open space of 3" to 4" around the trunk itself)

Using Tree Stakes
Not all trees need to be staked. Small trees - less than six feet high or thinner than one inch in diameter probably don't need to be staked for support.
Larger trees however, won't initially have the strength to support themselves right being planted and will need to be staked to get off to a good start. Staking will help control the movement of the tree, while allowing some root hairs to form and then grow into roots strong enough to hold the tree.
Trees stakes can be made of all kinds of materials, - wooden or plastic stakes, metal rods, rebar or even metal posts will all work well. Use at least three stakes driven into the ground on an angle (with the bottom pointing towards the tree) so they won’t pull out easily.
The material you use to wrap around the tree should be wide with a smooth surface that won't damage the tree trunk. In addition to commercial tree staking products, cloth webbing, wide rubber belts or even nylon stockings or panty hose can all be used to hold the tree. (Some folks feel the old idea of running a piece of wire through an old piece of garden hose can damage a newly planted tree, but the idea has served many people well over the years).
Girdle the tree at least 1/3 of its length up from the ground but below the bottom branches, and run the support wires/rope out and fasten them to the stakes. Be sure to allow a little slack, so the tree can move in the wind, or else it will never develop its own root support system.
Remember, staking trees is meant to be a temporary support system. Once your tree has become established (no more than two years) remove the tree stakes and support system.

Keep your tree growing
During the first two years after planting be sure you give your tree lots of water (1 1/2 inches per week in normal conditions, even more in extreme conditions).
Wrap a trunk guard around the bottom 2 feet of your tree to protect it from animals
Right after planting and annually thereafter, apply some liquid fertilizer around the "drip line" of the tree to feed it and keep it growing.

Planting new trees isn't difficult. Make sure the tree you plant is right for your climate, plant it properly and give it the maintenance it needs - basically just watering and fertilizing, and in return, you'll get the chance to enjoy that tree for years to come.