To Stake or Not to Stake?

摘要

What Do Hurricanes, tornadoes, wayward vehicles, riding lawnmowers, drunken tourists, and climbing tomboys have in common? Answer: The ability to cause recently planted trees to incur trunk damage or to topple, uproot, or lean. Are these good reasons to stake, guy, or root anchor trees? Yes, if these things are really likely to happen to your trees; no, if the likelihood of their occurrence is nil. For successful tree establishment, trees must be kept upright while their roots grow into the soil. Root establishment includes angled-downward growth of larger structural roots along with lateral growth of fine, absorbing roots. Mechanical stabilization during this period may or may not be needed, but it should never be mandated until multiple factors are considered. This applies regardless of tree production or harvest method―bare root, balled in burlap (B&B), containerized, or container grown.