[phelapa]

Got a lot of trees (Norway Maple, Rowan, Cherry, Willow, Fruit etc ) planted 2 years ago. They were staked with stakes approx 4 feet high. The rubber ties were nailed to the stakes presumably because the site is windy. Now, the trees seem to be doing well, but some of the stakes have broken at ground level. Looking at other posts on this site, presumably I don't need to replace these stakes? I think I may need to loosen the ties on some of the other trees to allow growth or should I just remove the stakes altogether? After how many years growth do the stakes become redundant? Any tips?

[tippben]

Examine the trees with broken stakes. If the stem feels solid when you rock it, and there is no sign of cracking/ground movement around the base of the tree, then it should be safe to remove the rest of the stakes. If you want to play it safe, cut the other stakes in half, and retie them for another year.

[The Garden Shop]

If you can lean up against the tree without causing the tree to rock, bend or fall over then the tree does not need a stake.

Otherwise replace the existing damaged stakes with stakes that are at least one third the height of the tree (after they have been driven into the ground)

As with any tree stake; check the tree ties after every growing season and asses whether they are damaging the tree's bark. If the Tie is too tight, or are cause the tree to rub against the stake, then replace and re do the tree tie.