[paulb]

Hi
Last year I planted about 15 trees, most are doing well but I am having some problems with my Norway Maple's (Columnare), they are about 4m high and are bending far too much in the wind, I checked them yesterday and 1 of them has a number of splits in the bark. The trees look healthy (apart from nearly bending 90 degrees in strong winds).
They are supported with 1 stake which is about 5ft long, 2ft in the ground and the remainder above the ground. I presume I should try buy longer stakes, ideally I would like to buy some about 7-8ft high, but I don't think I can get them that long and fit in the existing hole and I don't want to have to widen the hole because the tree
So, what can I do to try and strengthen them?

Thanks
Paul

[michael brenock]

as long as the stake prevents the movement of the roots and the stem at ground level then the stake is serving the purpose. it is normal for tree stems to bend in the wind but as long as they do not loosen the roots then there is no harm being done. As the stems grows and thickens it will become less pliable and will bend less.
michael brenock horticultural advisor (retired)

[paulb]

Thanks Michael
I have 3 of these trees in the same general location, 1 is very solid, a second is bending a bit but the 3rd is seriously bending, I will try take a photo of it bending.
I was concerned when I saw the bark on the tree splitting, I woud have thought this was a big problem.

Thanks
Pau