Tree support systems provide physical assistance to maintain a tree’s vertical alignment or prevent the failure of structurally weak limbs. For newly planted trees, this intervention is temporary, intended only to assist with root establishment. For mature trees, support is a specialized, long-term structural intervention designed to mitigate the risk of failure in trees with pre-existing defects. In both scenarios, the goal is to enhance the tree’s stability and safety.
Temporary Support for Young Trees
The most common form of initial support for newly planted stock is staking, used for trees with small root balls, tall trunks, or those planted in exposed, windy sites. The purpose of staking is not rigid immobilization, but to prevent the root ball from shifting in the soil. Preventing this movement, often called “wind rock,” allows fine root hairs to develop and anchor the tree.
Proper staking technique is crucial for fostering trunk strength. Stakes should be driven into the ground just outside the perimeter of the root ball to avoid damaging new roots. The ties connecting the trunk to the stakes must be wide, flexible materials, such as canvas webbing, to prevent cutting into the developing bark.
These ties should be installed loosely, allowing the trunk to sway slightly in the wind. This movement stimulates the production of reaction wood, helping the trunk develop the proper taper and girth needed for self-support. The attachment point should be placed as low as possible on the trunk, typically one-third to two-thirds of the distance from the ground to the lowest branch.
External Stabilization for Leaning or Damaged Trees
For larger transplanted trees, particularly those with a trunk diameter greater than four inches or those that have suffered significant wind damage, guying is often employed. Guying differs from staking in scale and purpose, focusing on stabilizing the entire trunk and root system rather than just a small sapling.
This method uses three or four guy wires or ropes anchored into the ground away from the trunk. They are typically attached to the tree using a protective material like hose sections to prevent bark damage. Guying keeps the large root ball stationary until the tree can anchor itself, or corrects a severe lean caused by storm forces.
While skilled homeowners can sometimes manage light guying, stabilizing large, damaged, or severely leaning mature trees usually requires professional assessment. The forces involved are substantial, and the installation of anchors—which may include specialized deadman anchors buried in the soil—must be precise. Guying is an external, temporary support system, stabilizing the tree against large-scale movement until root establishment or structural repair is complete.
Internal Structural Support for Mature Trees
When a mature tree has structural defects like co-dominant stems, included bark, or internal decay, internal support systems known as cabling and bracing can be used. Cabling involves installing high-strength, flexible steel cables high in the canopy, typically between two weak limbs or co-dominant stems. The cables act like a safety belt, limiting how far the limbs can move during high winds, thereby reducing the risk of splitting at the weak union.
Bracing is a complementary technique that utilizes rigid steel rods drilled through and secured across a specific weak point, such as a trunk crack or a split branch union. The rods provide immediate, rigid reinforcement to prevent the crack from widening. Both cabling and bracing are intended as long-term interventions to extend the life of a structurally compromised tree.
This type of internal support work should be performed exclusively by a certified arborist. It requires a deep understanding of tree biomechanics and the specific tools needed to install the hardware safely and without causing further harm. The arborist must determine the proper cable height, tension, and attachment methods to ensure the system is effective without inhibiting natural movement.
Removing Temporary Support
Prompt removal of temporary supports, such as staking and guying materials, is essential for promoting a strong, healthy tree. Leaving these materials in place for too long can have severe, long-lasting consequences for the tree’s development.
A support tie left wrapped around the trunk will eventually constrict the tree as it grows in diameter, a condition known as girdling. Girdling interferes with the flow of water and nutrients, which can slowly starve or kill the upper portion of the tree. Furthermore, prolonged support prevents the trunk from developing reaction wood, resulting in a weak trunk lacking the proper base taper for self-support.
Supports should typically be removed after one full growing season, generally six to twelve months after planting. For example, if the tree was planted in the spring, supports can often be removed by the following fall. If the tree still appears unstable after the ties are loosened, they can be re-secured for a short period, but the process of fostering independence should be ongoing.