Tuesday, June 17, 2008

Remove those tight ties!

Do you like to stake your trees at planting? Some say it's good and some say it's not so good. Many trees even come already staked in their pot. I don't know what the case was here but . . . . . . . these ties and stakes should have been removed long ago. This is one of three Jatropha integerrima that were planted 10 or 11 months ago. You can see the damage done by the ties.
And that's nothing compared to the damage done by being tied so close to the stake for months and months and months. I'm not saying don't stake - just be sure to check your staked trees on a regular basis!

4 comments:

Aiyana said...

Staking is common for desert trees, but most gardeners or landscapers remove the nusery stakes and then use the 2 poles with figure 8 wire ties. The wire is usually protected by a section of hose. This gives the tree a chance to sway when the wind blows, in order to strengthen the trunk. Unfortunately I see trees in common areas and shopping centers that have been neglected and the wire and hose has cut deeply into the tree. It amazes me that the landscapers trim the trees, pick weeds, blow and go, and never remove the stakes and wire!
I had a couple of Jatropha integerrima that died in our hard freeze of 2006. I love that plant!
Aiyana

Mary Beth said...

Aiyana -
I agree there are some very good reasons and ways to stake trees. These trees are at a public building - and I know that the county personnel have little training. I walked past them almost weekly and never clicked in to remove those stakes! Thankfully a friend noticed them and we removed them. I do love Jatropha, too!

Anonymous said...

ugh, I so know about this problem. The previous owner of my home had trees planted and left them staked for 7 yrs! I might lose a few of them from the damage. It's good you brought this problem to light.

Mary Beth said...

KATHLEEN - Seven years! OMG what were they thinking? Here's hoping your trees recover . . . .