Stake up a Bush or Tree

Planting large bushes and trees are great for adding coverage in a garden, but in the beginning, the plants may not be able to support themselves. In order to give your plants the best chance at becoming strong and large, you may need to stake them for support. The process is easy, but you'll have to decide which method of staking is best for you and your garden based on the types of plants you're growing.

Steps

Creating a Stake Corral

  1. Get your supplies ready. A stake corral is a method of staking a bush or small tree by creating a ‘fence’ around it for the branches and limbs to rest on. To create a stake corral, you’ll need 3-4 stakes and thick linen string. Bamboo stakes or plastic coated metal stakes will work nicely, as these will blend in without damaging the plant.
    • If you’re up for spending a bit of money, specialty ‘L-shaped’ stakes can be purchased to form a corral.
  2. Insert your stakes. If you have three stakes, create a triangle shape around the perimeter of the plant. If you have four, create a rectangle or square around the bush. Keep in mind that you want to try to space each of the stakes equally apart around the plant.
  3. Add your ‘corral’. Select a location halfway up or higher on the stakes for your first tier. Wrap the string around the stakes in the same location on each, pulling the string taut as you work. When you get back to the start, tie the ends of the string together in a knot and cut the loose ends. For a large plant, you may have to repeat this process and create multiple tiers of string to hold the plant in.
  4. Adjust your corral over time. The idea of the corral is to give small plants some structure to lean against as they begin growing. Once your plant has reached a more mature size, you can remove the corral completely or adjust it so that the plant is given more room to grow. If you don’t remove the corral, you may stunt the growth of your plant or damage pre-existing limbs.[1]

Pea Staking

  1. Select a variety of branches for staking. The concept behind pea staking is that you use dead branches as natural stakes, both to blend into the garden and to degrade over time on their own. This style of staking works best for bushes and plants with a spreading growth habit. Head out into the woods and find a few sturdy old branches. They needn’t be very large, but you need them to be strong enough to give support to your bush.
  2. Place your branch stakes. Stick your branches into the ground {{safesubst:#invoke:convert|convert}} deep, so that they won’t be blown over in the wind. Space them out around your plant to either create a corral-type perimeter, or to hold up branches that need support. You can use many branches to support each limb, or just one or two to give support to the largest limbs.
  3. Adjust your stakes over time. If your branches are old/thin enough, they’ll likely fall over and begin to decompose on their own over time. If you chose sturdier branches, however, you’ll have to move them outwards consistent with the growth of your plant. Remember that eventually when your bush reaches maturity, it may not need stakes in order to be supported, as its own branch system should be strong enough to hold itself up.

Single Staking a Bush

  1. Select your stakes. If you’re working with a plant that grows upwards rather than outwards (like a tomato plant), you may want to consider single staking it. Select a stake for this - typically bamboo stakes or plastic-coated metal stakes work the best. You’ll also need some string; linen thread or yarn will work.
  2. Locate the primary branch. Once your plant has been planted, look for the primary branch that supports the most growth. This is typically near the center, but if you have a plant that has split down the center, there may be two ‘primary’ branches.
  3. Insert the stake. Dig a hole {{safesubst:#invoke:convert|convert}} deep about {{safesubst:#invoke:convert|convert}} from the base of the primary branch. Stick the stake in the ground, tamping the soil near the base and verifying that it is totally vertical.
  4. Tie the branches to the stake. Cut small pieces of string/yarn to attach the branches to the stake. Tie the primary branch in 2-3 locations to the stake, spacing out the ties so as to firmly support the branch. You shouldn’t need to tie smaller branches to the stake, unless you have multiple stakes spread out around the plant.
  5. Adjust your stakes over time. When your plant has grown large enough, it will either need to have the stakes removed completely or relocated. Pull up the stakes and determine what your course of action should be. If you choose to relocate them, place them in locations so as to support the heaviest branches.[2]

Staking a Tree

  1. Know when to stake. Contrary to popular belief, it is not necessary to stake every newly planted, small tree. Trees should only be staked if they are in a location that received heavy winds, trees that are planted in very sandy soil, and trees that are quite tall but have a small root ball. Remember that even if you do choose to stake a tree, you should remove the ties as soon as you are able. Trees that are left staked into maturity will be damaged by the ties and much weaker than trees that are not staked.[3]
  2. Select your supplies. To stake a tree, it is typically recommended that you use two tall, thin stakes made from bamboo or metal. The stakes should only be tall enough to reach the top of the trunk, but not to interfere with the branches. You’ll also need ties to attach the tree to the stakes. Use ties that are wide, flat, and flexible. Nylon stockings or flat elastic can work nicely for this.
    • Never use wire or rubber hose to stake your tree, as these will grow into the trunk and damage it over time.
  3. Place your stakes. Your stakes should be placed equidistant from the trunk, about one foot away on each side of the tree. Place the first stake on the side that the wind typically comes from, and the other stake directly opposite that. This will help to keep the tree stable in poor weather and storms. Make sure that the stakes are buried deep enough in the ground that they do not give when pushed against; they need to be firm in order to support your tree.
  4. Add the ties. You’ll need two ties to support your tree; the ties should be in the same location, but each will attach the trunk to the opposite stake. Wrap the flat side of the tie around the trunk, keeping it taut to provide support. Tie the wrap around the stake firmly, and then cut off the excess.
  5. Adjust the stakes over time. Trees will naturally become stable and sturdy enough to support their frame, so the stakes that you supply them with will never need to be permanent. When the tree has had enough time to let its roots expand and for it to grow a bit stronger, you should cut the ties and remove the stakes. If at any time the ties begin digging into the tree, they should be removed along with the stakes to prevent further damage.

Tips

  • When pounding takes near a plant, be careful of roots that you could damage. Damaging a couple may be OK, but if you put stakes all around then you might be damaging too many roots.
  • If wind is a problem, anchor the stakes into the ground with guy wires or strong rope in at least three directions.
  • After you stake the plant, wait a few days and check the stakes and ropes. Are the stakes still in the ground straight? They might need to be pounded down more. Are the ropes still tight? If they have come slack or loose, re-tie them to the stakes.
  • If a stem actually breaks, you must cut it off, and try to support nearby stems. If a plant droops too much, you won't have upright growth or a nice shape without major pruning, rather than simply staking it more and more.

Things You'll Need

  • Stake poles of wood, bamboo, metal or plastic, at least three feet tall (up to 8 feet tall), at least {{safesubst:#invoke:convert|convert}} x {{safesubst:#invoke:convert|convert}} square.
  • Strips of twine, plastic, or rubber
  • A large hammer or mallet to pound stakes
  • Pruning shears for trimming
  • Stakes for guy wires if used

Related Articles

Sources and Citations

  1. ↑ http://tlc.howstuffworks.com/home/how-to-stake-plants1.htm
  2. ↑ http://homeguides.sfgate.com/stake-rose-bush-23218.html
  3. ↑ http://www.safnet.org/lp/0104_howtostake.cfm

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