Agriculture Reference
In-Depth Information
Figure 2.15
How to stake a tree properly.
will be able to send out roots into the
surrounding soil to anchor the plant firmly
for the future.
Securing the roots is the object of
staking, not keeping the trunk rigid.
Trees on
dwarfing rootstocks should also be staked
initially as the dwarfing rootstock is slow
growing and will need some time to establish.
A three-point tie in the lower third of the
trunk is advisable for the first year or 18
months, then the stake should be removed
(see Figure 2.15).
move so that it can develop some thickness
and strength.
Topiary standards (see page 101) will need
to be staked in the training stages, and if a
large 'ball' is developed making the plant
top heavy, constant staking is advisable. If it
is grown from the one plant, that is not a
grafted standard, and the 'ball' is not
overlarge, the stake can be safely removed
at the end of training (see Figure 4.75, page
101). Grafted standards such as roses or
grevilleas will, however, need to be staked
for life. The grafting point at the top of the
trunk is a weak point that can snap in
high winds.
Never stake as high up on the trunk as
shown in Figure 2.16. The tree will be
forever dependent, and weak once the stakes
are removed. The trunk needs to be able to
