[namloc]

What's the best advise for staking a new tree? I have got a Prunus Serrula about 10 foot tall in a container and want to put it out into the lawn. I've read up on it on the internet and there are as many resources saying that you should stake as those who say you shouldn't stake at all.

Any advise?

[Michael196]

consider your site,

is it windy ? or sheltered?

Your tree will need staking in the first year or two at least untill it gets established, then you can remove the stake once the tree is stabilised and can independantly stand up to the local wind conditions.

In order to establish itself, the tree needs to aviod 'root rock' , which is movement of the roost caused by the tree swaying in the wind.

In the first year at least the tree will suffer root rock as the roots will not have worked into the local ground.

your tree will die from excessive root rock

[Liparis]

Root rock is the problem. Don't put in a tall stake, that method is poor support for the tree. As an example, I planted three 25' Cherries, I staked each with two stout pegs using 2" X 2" belted into the ground about 2' minimum, one either side of the tree about 18" apart. A cross member was fastened between both at height of 18" and the pegs trimmed down to this. Get some material, like an old jumper to wrap around the cross member to prevent chafing, then very securely tie the tree using rubber straps, to the cross-piece. This should keep the root anchored and prevent it rocking.
The reason it's done so low is that the trees rely so much on the stake for stem support that they learn to use it, when removing the support the tree stem is weak because it hasn't learnt how to deal with wind. At worst your tree may snap in a wind, at best it may just flop over enough to look unsightly.
Bill.

[kilkenny]

slant the post. place it so as the prevailing wind will blow the tree towards the stack