When to Remove Stakes on Trees and Shrubs

Stakes on trees and shrubs from the nursery are installed to help train the new plants grow straight as it matures. This is mostly just in a nursery setting. Ties and stakes should be adjusted or removed when appropriate (usually when the plant is stronger than the stake). The stake can hinder the plant developing its own strength if left on too long, and when ties are left on too long, they get too tight and can “choke” the plant. Studies on Tree staking have been contradictory and there are different opinions on the benefit of multiple stakes. Our 40 years of experience leads us to believe the best treatment is to use the nursery stake only, and too remove them as soon as reasonable. Tree stakes will usually be left on after planting in the landscape and shrub stakes removed more promptly.