Staking Newly Planted Trees

Join Gary Johnson, Professor Emeritus in the Department of Forest Resources, on a journey through best planting practices. This is a 12 part video series which covers everything you'll need to know to establish healthy young trees in the landscape. In this video, Gary talks about different methods for staking young trees and how to do so properly.
For more information about Urban & Community Forestry at the University of Minnesota
trees.umn.edu/
This production is made possible through funding from the Minnesota Department of Natural Resources & the USDA Forest Service.
IN ACCORDANCE WITH FEDERAL LAW AND U.S. DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE (USDA) CIVIL RIGHTS REGULATIONS AND POLICIES, THIS INSTITUTION IS PROHIBITED FROM DISCRIMINATING ON THE BASIS OF RACE, COLOR, NATIONAL ORIGIN, SEX, AGE, DISABILITY, AND REPRISAL OR RETALIATION FOR PRIOR CIVIL RIGHTS ACTIVITY. (NOT ALL PROHIBITED BASES APPLY TO ALL PROGRAMS.)

[@KC_FlightChief]

I realized something myself- to stake my trees in line with the prevailing winds, I just looked up my local runways at nearby airports. The runway numbers indicate the heading (just add a 0). And there u have the exact spots to stake your trees!

[@MyEverything555]

I planted a Princeton Gold Maple three seasons ago. We staked it for the first year, and then took the stakes off once the spring ground hardened. The tree was doing great, but with the intense wind we’ve been getting, it was violently whipping around, to the point of being in danger of snapping. I was told to re-stake it, but to put the strap up higher on the trunk this time. So, it would be above some branches. It’s a large tree. Planted in SE MN. Is this what you would advise? Thank you!!!

[@Chieftain357]

The reason you stake a tree it to stabilize the root ball till the roots set. If that tree has been in ground for three seasons, there is no reason to stake. As long as it stands up straight when there are no winds and is solid in ground, leave it alone. The tree will not snap if its healthy and if it does better earlier than later. You want the tree to sway in the wind, that's what strengthen the trunk.

[@wstt4]

If I am planting 3’ trees (Podocarpus Maki) in a very windy spot (15mph+ 24/7), How to get them to grow straight all the way up with branches on all sides? Should I have multiple attachment points up the stake so the top doesn’t grow bent over?

[@angeldavila4669]

can you talk about the green bags at the trun,k of the tree?

[@terrencegibbons3351]

Those green bags hold 5 gallons of water and there is a little hole in the bag to slow release the water

[@Chieftain357]

They are for lazy people. Don't put that crap on. Do a soft wrap in fall to spring to protect it from mice and rabbits that eat bark for food in the winter.

[@FixItWithMe]

Can u also stake bushes? I have some bushes that are starting to fall over. I think from the high winds in my area. Can I stake it similar to a tree?