Wrapping and Staking New Trees

Harsh winds are howling. To protect against the brutal breath of "Old Man Winter," new trees can be wrapped and staked with support wires.

Wrapping trees to protect the bark of the tree from damage during shipping handling is considered an appropriate procedure in the nursery industry, but whether it prevents the bark from cracking is suspect and has not been proven. Yet, my observations have been that it is helpful.

Tree wrap is comprised of laminated paper, which dissipates heat, and a tar center, which temporarily insulates the tree from temperature changes that are thought, by some, to crack the bark. Wrap should not be left on a tree after approximately April 1st of the following spring.

To wrap a tree properly, start at the bottom and wrap in a continuous overlapping spiral up the trunk of the tree. At the convergence of the first major branches, stop wrapping.

Tie the wrap at 10 to 12 inch intervals with biodegradable twine. It is extremely important to remove this twine along with the wrap in the spring to eliminate the possibility of girdling the trunk.

Trees can be braced in three ways. Each procedure depends upon the size of the tree and the prevalence of strong winds in your area.

Small trees up to 1½ inch in diameter and seven to ten feet tall can be anchored with one stake driven into the ground beside the trunk. The stake should be on the side toward the prevailing wind.

Attach the stake to the tree with special bands available at your garden center or with wire covered by a rubber hose. The apparatus should encircle both the tree and the stake. It should be left in place only through the winter, generally until April 1st or until high winds have passed.

Trees up to 2½ inches in diameter and from nine to fourteen feet tall should be stabilized with two vertical stakes placed on either side of the tree at a distance just beyond the width of the root ball. One of the stakes should be on the side of the prevailing wind. Hose covered wire or the harness material should then be extended from each of the stakes to above the lowest branches or at least 4½ feet above the ground. The tree should then be secured upright.

Trees 15 feet or greater in height and with diameters greater than three inches should be braced with three 30" at 2" x 2" stakes and three wires to provide even support around the tree. One stake should be on the prevailing wind side. Stakes should be placed in the same line as the pull of the wires and at a distance beyond the width of the root ball and hole. The chosen support material should encircle the tree above the lowest branches.

Protect new trees if, and, as needed this winter with proper support and wrapping. Then the ravages of winter will not wreck havoc or harm.