Staking trees is indeed a very sensitive job that should only be done by professional landscaping companies. While it appears like a simple task from a casual glance, so much could go wrong. For example, incorrect staking could lead to the tree not growing in girth as it should because staked trees tend to grow taller without increasing in thickness.

Another thing to bear in mind is that a staked tree will not move with the wind and experts say that wind movement for the trees stimulates growth. Thus, if you are thinking of staking your trees, call us at 337-313-3002 so we can help you determine whether it is absolutely necessary to stake it.

What is tree staking? Here’s what landscaping companies say

Staking is the process of stabilizing a tree during the initial stages of its growth by planting a stake in the ground near the tree and then tying the tree to the stake by use of material like rubber, cloth, wire or rope. Staking is very important when the tree has shallow roots and you are fearing that winds could blow it over. Usually, lawn service companies can advise you on how to appropriately stake your tree or even tell you whether your tree needs to be staked.

Call our lawn care company to see whether you need tree staking

If you have noticed some signs of root movement around the roots of your tree, that may mean it needs to be staked. When a tree does not have a strong root support system to support the weight of the part that is above the ground, then it needs to be staked to ensure that it doesn’t fall over.

If the tree bends too much to one side, it needs to be staked to straighten it up. Do not attempt this on your own. Seek the help of a lawn care company because you could end up bruising the tree too much, as you will be applying a counter-force. If not staked right, you could tamper with the growing part of the tree, and eventually stunt its growth or cause a deformity.

Staking a tree should be done in such a way that a serious effect like girdling can be avoided. Girdling occurs when a tree is tied too tightly to the stake and when the staking is not removed in time. A serious deformity of having a thicker trunk above the tie can occur. This leaves you with a tree that has a narrow trunk at the lower part which then thickens up at a certain point going upward.

Tying the stake loosely is not any good either. As the tree sways in different directions, the bark will be bruised and this may cause a disruption in the movement of nutrients from the soil to the other parts of the plant. When it comes to staking, don’t take any chances. This is something that needs to be done just right.

At Tender Care Lawn Service, we do our due diligence to determine whether the tree indeed requires extra support by staking. Should we determine that it does, we will choose the most appropriate type of staking for it.

Benefits of tree staking with landscape companies

Landscaping companies will show you why, in areas where the soil is shallow, young trees will need some extra support before they become stable. If you live in a windy region, you will need to stake your trees because the wind can bowl them over easily. Staking gives a young tree a new lease on life to grow to full bloom.

You will protect your tree from being vandalized. Vandals will destroy anything, but a strong stake is a good deterrent. It will also protect the tree from being damaged by pets.

Some trees have heavy branches and dense foliage which may not be well supported by the small root ball. Such a tree needs to be staked because the small root ball may not support the weight of the tree.

Staking will also realign a tree that leans too much to one side.

When it is done professionally, staking a tree is very beneficial. It enhances the health of your tree and helps it stabilize as it develops. After the staking period, it will start increasing in thickness.

If it is not done right, the tree will have reduced stem taper. This affects the strength of the trunk because a tree develops strength from those swaying movements. It may also hamper the “instinct” of the tree to develop a strong root system for stability and support.

Methods of staking trees

At TCLS, we use different methods of staking trees, as do other providers of grass cutting services and related services. Each method of staking a tree is determined by factors like the location, size and even shape of the tree.

Here are the most common staking methods:

Single stake tie – With this method, you will just use a single stake, leaving a space of about one inch between it and the tree. You are also going to insert a spacer between the tree and the stake. It is advisable to have the stake on the side that the wind blows from so that when the tree is blown, it sways away from the stake.

Double stake and crossbar – If you have a container grown tree and you would like to stake it, you ought to plant two stakes on each side of the tree and then nail a crossbar to both of them. You will insert a rubber block between the tree and the crossbar. A belt is then nailed to the crossbar with loose ends which are then used to secure the tree to the stake.

Multiple staking – Here, you can use more than two machine-rounded stakes and then secure the tree to the stakes with a belt. The stakes are positioned about 12 inches from the root ball.

When to remove the staking

It is recommended that you remove the staking of your tree at such a time as when you do not notice signs of movement at the roots. If the soil appears undisturbed, it means the tree is stable and can hold its own against the elements.

The longest period for staking should be, at the most, one year. Any longer than that would have a negative effect on the tree or it could mean that the tree has not benefited from the staking. Usually, we will not let the staking stay in place for a year. If it is done right, few to several months is what you need to set the tree straight and stable.

What landscaping companies advise for aftercare

Many people make the mistake of staking a tree and then leaving it to its means. However, some aftercare is required to make sure that the tree is faring well. You should monitor the ties regularly so that if you notice that they are too tight, you can redo them properly.

The most important  thing is to determine whether you need to stake the tree or not and in most cases, you do not need to. Landscape maintenance services will let you know whether you really need to stake that tree. Experts will also determine the kind of staking that you need for your tree.

Author: tclsadmin

Contact us:Lawn care services

 Address :1497 W Houston River Rd,Sulphur, LA 70663

 Telephone: 337-313-3002