Young cascara tree leaning a lot - Ask Extension
Hello, I planted a young cascara tree about a year ago. I noticed after a month or so that it wasn't straight, so staked, tying it off with wire prote...
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Young cascara tree leaning a lot #873572
Asked June 18, 2024, 9:46 AM EDT
Hello, I planted a young cascara tree about a year ago. I noticed after a month or so that it wasn't straight, so staked, tying it off with wire protected by garden hose. I staked it too rigidly and with not enough ability to sway and strengthen. I staked it with two stakes on the same.plane about 18 inches out from the tree. When I removed the the stakes, it flopped over. This was about 5 weeks ago. I have driven a new stake in the ground perpendicular to the prevailing winds (north, but they also come from the west where the stake is). I have not actuually tied the tree to the stake because I am afraid of weakening it again. Is it too late to assist this tree in growing straighter? Do I need to start I wr. I don't expect it to be perfectly straight - trees aren't necessarily straight in nature, but this one is too bent and I don't know how it will look as it matures. It is in a prominent place in my yard, almost a specimen. Will it always be weak because it was staked too rigidly when it was young? What steps should.i take (if any) or should.i plant a new tree?
Lane County Oregon
Expert Response
Leaning new trees often are responding to how the roots are oriented in the original planting or to a soil which is too loose. Tight staking exacerbates the problem as the tree cannot "exercise" and strengthen its cell structure. Check first to see if the roots are raising the ground as this complicates the process some.
When staking the tree, support it, but don’t pull the ties too tightly. The tree needs some flexibility and movement to grow strong. The ties should be padded or use commercial flat ties designed for this use. It is best to use at least two stakes. In high-wind areas, place them perpendicular to the prevailing wind. Place the ties or straps around the tree trunk so they are no higher than ⅔ of the tree’s height. Ties should be removed after one season. Check during the the growing season to be sure the ties are letting the tree move.
Good luck.
When staking the tree, support it, but don’t pull the ties too tightly. The tree needs some flexibility and movement to grow strong. The ties should be padded or use commercial flat ties designed for this use. It is best to use at least two stakes. In high-wind areas, place them perpendicular to the prevailing wind. Place the ties or straps around the tree trunk so they are no higher than ⅔ of the tree’s height. Ties should be removed after one season. Check during the the growing season to be sure the ties are letting the tree move.
Good luck.
Hello Patricia, I actually have a lot of this information already from my own research and I'm asking if it's too late to restake the tree properly to straighten it or if it is doomed because it was staked too rigidly in the beginning and didn't develop that important cell strength? I think I planted it properly in terms of roots and soil in the beginning so this is really a matter of not enough flex in the beginning. Cascara are fast growing and so that's why I was curious if I should just start with a new one this fall although I'd prefer to not lose a year as I am eager for the tree to mature. I am curious if my photo came through in my initial email? In addition to two stakes to provide support in opposite directions, should it be staked in two places along the trunk (one lower and one higher, but no more than 2/3 up, or is just one at about 1/2 to 2/3 tree height sufficient?
Thank you for your time,
Diana
This fast growing tree should respond well to proper staking if the root ball is still firmly in place. If you prefer to start over, that would also work now that you have a good understanding of what staking needs to be. Bigger problem is that the tree will soon slow its growth response for the summer and will not respond as well to establishing with the hot weather. Best replanting times are fall and early spring as a rule. Yea, the picture came thru.
Thank you Patricia. I have restaked the tree. Is a single stake sufficient? How long should I leave it staked? Through the next fall/winter/spring or indefinitely?
Thank you,
Diana
Ideally you should use 3 stakes attached loosely to the tree with pads around the staked area. That allows full movement to strengthen the trunk while supporting it securely. Good Luck.
