When to Remove Tree Stakes

Greenville, NH Resident Seeks Advice.

Staking a tree is common practice for young saplings, helping them to grow straight and preventing breaking. Ideally, the tree will eventually grow to a height, with its trunk filling out, that it will no longer need this support. To prevent damage to the tree as it grows, you should remove the stakes no more than a year after installing them. The best practice is to remove the stakes at the start of the next growing season. If the tree is not stable after removing the stakes, you can reattach them for another season. This allows you to readjust the tightness to accommodate for the tree’s growth.

A Greenville resident had staked some new saplings last spring when they were originally planted. With the trees healthy and growing, he was wondering at what point the stakes should be removed

Signs that the Stakes Needs to Remain in Place

While not necessary, staking can be a good way to give a young tree the best opportunity to grow and establish roots without worrying about damage from inclement weather and high winds. As the tree grows and the roots take hold, the staking should no longer be needed. When the staking is removed, you should check the tree for stability to determine if it is too soon to take away the stakes. If the tree wiggles a lot the root systems may not have developed enough yet. Additionally, if the tree is bending or seems to be swaying it is best to reinstall the staking for another season allowing the tree even more time to develop.

Negative Effects if a Tree is Staked Too Long 

Leaving a tree staked, without removing and checking whether the support is still necessary, can have detrimental effect on the tree. As the tree grows and its trunk expands, the original staking will likely become too tight around the tree. This can impede the tree’s growth and even cut into the tree’s trunk causing injury. By removing the stakes, and reattaching when deemed necessary, each growing season you can be sure that the stakes are not doing harm to the tree.

The Greenville resident removed the stakes from his saplings and was pleased to find that these new trees had taken root nicely, no longer needing the added support of stakes.