Staking trees

delmar39

Hi there I've posted on here before about just planting 3 cotoneaster cornubia trees. I bought them on line and am very happy with them. They were 6' when I planted them in April. I also planted a common hornbeam at the same time.

The nursery I ordered them from (plus advice on numerous websites) said that it was unnecessary to stake them, because they're are not yet big enough to need it plus they're in a reasonably sheltered position. However, during the recent winds they really took a hammering and the movement was pretty major. The hornbeam in the front seems very firm in comparison.

I'm sure too that my middle one now has a slight lean since the winds, only 2 or 3 degress but as it's level with the fence behind it it's noticeable.

Having read things on websites it says that trees do need to move in order to get the message to send down more roots.

I'm not too concerned. The trees are still upright and I guess do have a natural bend to them (all three have this). However, do you think it's worth me staking them just to be on the safe side? They are firmly in the ground and if I can get away with it I'd rather not, but do cringe everytime we have a strong wind....:eek:

Regardless they are starting to flower and look great. Very pleased I chose them.

delmar39

Hi I submitted this a while back but alas no responses. The trees are doing fine. However, they are getting a bit top heavy and do bend over a lot in strong winds. They also lean in different directions depending on which way the wind has been blowing! As the roots won't be shooting down during Autumn / Winter, do you think it would be worth staking them during this period then removing the stakes when Spring arrives? Just thinking about how to protect them during the winter months. The tree in my front garden is as solid as a rock so I'm not concerned about this one.

westiea

Hi

If you feel that they are moving to much feel free to stake them as they have not been in long.

It is important to stake at a 45 degrees and low down the plant (1/3 of its height roughly), it allows some movement which encourages the tree to send out more and deeper roots to anchor it. Drive in the stake as far from the roots as you can, it really should be put in at planting, but of course thats not an option here.:)

Use a stake smaller (and thinner) than the tree and cut of excess height just above anchor point.It needs to be in as deep as poss (2' if you can)

Make sure you use a rubber tree-tie to stop bark rubbing against the stake and put the stake on the side of the prevailing wind (so the tree blows away from stake!)

I would leave it on for a year and then see how the trees are. Dont forget to check tightness of tree tie throughout that time that it is not 'cutting' in to the bark.

delmar39

Thanks for this. I'm still not 100% about doing it, but just looking for some views. They've had a full growing season as I planted them in March, so should have sent down some initial roots and I guess the strong winds have reminded them to push down further. I'm reluctant to stake them and do want to leave it to nature, but on the other hand I don't want to lose time by losing one or two during the winter. They've grown really well over one season and are still going strong. Berries are starting to come out too ;-)

Unlike my common hornbeam, which is as solid as a rock, the Cotoneaster Cornubia's have a different trunk and do sway quite a lot to the point where a gap appears in the soil at the bottom of the trunk on windy days.