Tree Stakes/Poles: where can I get these at a low price.

Gautama

Hi,

I need to get some stake/poles for the support of some trees.
When I go to garden centres they tend to be €5/6 a go, for 2cm square poles.
When I go to farm stores, they have the 3 inch round stakes, costing €2, €2.50 €3 for 4ft, 5ft, 6ft in length.

This gets expensive when you need a few.

Can anyone recommend somewhere with lower prices in Cork?
I remember getting poles a few years ago for about €1 a pop, but he's gone out of business.

Thanks.

tippben · Posted: Thu Oct 25, 2012 8:54 am Post subject:

What size are the trees? 6" clear stem standards, 6" total height with branches all the way up the stem, or smaller? How many do you have to do? There are ways around your problem, depending on what you have! Don't use square stakes if possible: there's a greater chance of bark damage if the stem above and below the tie rubs the stake in wind.

Gautama · Posted: Sun Oct 28, 2012 11:02 pm Post subject:

Eight trees to begin with. Heights from 1.5 metres to 2.5 metres. Branches on half the length of the stems (upper). I'm thinking 4ft round stakes. 1 foot below the hole, one foot in the l hole, then two feet above ground.

tippben · Posted: Tue Oct 30, 2012 12:26 pm Post subject:

Right. Those trees are pretty small, so. I'd buy four broomstick handles and cut them in half. Knock 'em in, and use a proper tree tie at about 18"/2' above ground. You only have to anchor the roots. If you try to make the stem "straight" artificially, it won't flex in the wind and develop strength. When the stake/cane is removed, it'll flop in the first light wind.

Greengage · Posted: Tue Oct 30, 2012 6:03 pm Post subject:

Small trees like that dont need a stake only a tall cane to keep the leader straight, they will be better trees in the future without the stakes providing the don't suffer from wind rock.

tippben · Posted: Wed Oct 31, 2012 9:20 am Post subject:

No! Don't use canes! Some muppet planted out about a thousand trees in Tipperary with canes. Half of them flopped when they reached the top of the cane, the other half flopped when we got out the tree spade and planted them out. They were irritreevable.

The Garden Shop · Posted: Wed Oct 31, 2012 11:22 am Post subject:

If you can't find a supplier online, check your local sawmills.
If the sawmills cuts the stakes themselves then you should find the best value available.