When to Remove Stakes on Trees and Shrubs

Stakes are commonly used at the nursery to help young plants grow straight and avoid damage during handling and transport. Once planted in the landscape, the goal changes: you want the plant to develop its own strength.

Big idea:

A stake is a temporary training tool—not a permanent support. Left on too long, stakes and tight ties can weaken trunks, rub bark, and even “choke” (girdle) the plant.

Studies and opinions on staking vary, but our practical approach is simple: stake only when needed, use the least staking required, and remove it as soon as the plant can support itself.

When is it time to remove the stake?

Use these quick checks. If you can say “yes” to most of them, it’s usually time.

  • The trunk stands upright on its own (minor sway is normal and healthy).
  • The root ball feels anchored—there’s no rocking in the soil when the trunk moves in wind.
  • The trunk has begun to thicken (caliper growth) and the plant no longer relies on the tie to stay straight.
  • Ties aren’t digging in, rubbing, or tightening around the trunk.

Typical timing: shrubs are often ready sooner than trees. Trees in exposed, windy sites may need staking longer, but in most landscapes you don’t want stakes left on indefinitely.

How to test a staked plant (the simple way)

  1. Loosen or remove the ties (leave the stake in place for the moment).
  2. Step back and observe in normal wind conditions. A healthy tree should move slightly.
  3. If the plant leans severely or the root ball shifts, re-tie loosely and re-check again after it establishes more.
  4. If it stays upright with normal sway, remove stake(s) and ties.

Best practices for ties (while stakes are in place)

  • Check ties monthly during the first season. Growth happens fast.
  • Use wide, soft ties designed for trees—avoid wire or thin string that can cut bark.
  • Allow some movement. Gentle sway helps the trunk strengthen and thicken.
  • Keep ties low. Support should be as low as possible while still holding the plant upright.
  • Remove or reposition anything that rubs the trunk or branches.

Why leaving stakes on too long causes problems

Tree stake damage caused by rubbing or tight ties
Tight ties and rubbing stakes can damage bark and restrict growth.

Stakes can prevent a trunk from developing the natural strength it gains from movement. Meanwhile, ties that aren’t loosened can become tight as the trunk expands, causing girdling or abrasion.

Watch for these warning signs:

  • Indentations or “waists” forming where ties contact the trunk
  • Bark rubbing, scarring, or raw patches
  • Trunk staying unusually thin above the tie point
  • Plant looks “propped up” rather than rooted and stable

Our rule of thumb

Use the nursery stake only when it’s actually helping, and remove it as soon as the plant can stand on its own. Trees may keep stakes a bit longer than shrubs after planting—especially in wind-exposed sites—but the default should be temporary support, not long-term bracing.

Talk to a Nursery Expert Maintenance Services

Note: Site conditions matter—wind exposure, soil type, planting method, and plant size all affect staking needs. If you’re unsure, bring photos to the nursery or ask us on site.