Staking and Guying

Staking and guying consists of giving newly planted trees additional support.  Staking/guying is not always needed and should not be a part of every planting project.  Every newly planted tree should be assessed independently on whether or not it should be staked.  Staking should only occur when the newly planted trees have abnormally small root systems that can't physically support the larger, above-ground growth; when the stem is spindly and bends excessively when it is not supported; when the planting site is very windy and trees will be uprooted if they are not supported; or when there is a good chance vandals will uproot or damage unprotected trees.  Guying is typically used during storm damage recovery for wind thrown trees, and occasionally for newly planted trees if they are unusually large and heavy.  For detailed information on how to properly stake and guy read Staking and Guying Trees: Best Materials and Techniques.

A common improper practice with staking is the use of small diameter string or wire.  While this does provide a temporary solution, it is not a long term answer.  The best attachments for staking and guying are made of flat webbing.  Staking should only be left on a tree for ONE growing season.  During that time period make sure to check the staking attachments, if they are not routinely checked the tree will begin to grow around them.  This will lead to the eventual girdling and death of the tree.  The tree is not as likely to be girdled by these attachments in one growing season, but is they are left on for too long they too will girdle a tree. Other material that can be used is wire encased with a piece of rubber hose, please do not use wire alone.

Here is an example of rubber hosing being used in addition to the wire.  This type of attachment must be adjusted often to make sure that the tree is not being girdled.

Here is an example of the flat webbing used as a support.

Here is an example of correct guying technique.

If there is a permanent structure nearby then a tree can be staked to that.  Here a tree is staked to a light post.  All the staking rules still apply though, as far as height of staking and materials used.

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Here is a tree that is not able to stand upright on it's own and is in need of proper staking.  The lean should be fairly severe, like this,  in order to warrant staking.

Here the rubber hose was improperly placed around a smaller secondary branch off the main trunk.  Staking should be applied only on the main trunk for proper support.

This tree was staked with only a small diameter wire, and as a consequence the tree was girdled and died.  This could of been prevented with the use of flat webbing.

Placement of the attachment is critical.  If it is placed too high or tight it will not allow flexibility in the trunk and the tree will not develop adequate support wood.  This is an example of staking too high.  In general, you want to stake no higher than 1/3 of the way up the trunk.

Here a tree snapped from being staked too high up the trunk and too tight.  Staking still needs to allow flexibility for the trunk to be able to support itself after the stakes are removed.

This tree was improperly guyed.  Unprotected wire was used, which eventually girdled the stem and resulted in the death of the stem of attachments.  Like staking, guying should use either rubber hose protected wire or broad mesh straps.

Here you can see the tree beginning to grow around the wire.  Attention needs to be paid to make sure all the wire that is touching the trunk is inside the rubber hose.

Here you can clearly see the tree growing around the unprotected staking wire.  This will cause the tree to die and is easily preventable.

Here is one more example of a well intentioned tree buyer using unprotected string to stake their tree.  Notice the tree producing wood that is beginning to curl around the string.

The guying of evergreens is slighting different than staking a deciduous tree due to the branching structure. Use three stakes attached at the top to support the tree from the sides.

This tree has been staked for protection.  In areas of high traffic, like parks, boulevards or other public areas stakes like this are common.