Effects of Pruning and Staking on Landscape Trees

Abstract

Pruning and staking can be effectively used to develop structurally stable trees. The growth of young trees can be directed by pruning branches that are in unwanted permanent positions. Staking should be used primarily to protect and anchor young trees; support staking should be used only when plants are not able to stand upright without support.

Effects of Tree Stabilization Systems on Tree Health and Implications for Planting Specifications

“…Negative effects of TSSs are reduced taper development, increased height growth, decreased caliper growth, trunk deformities, and undesirable water stress responses (Appleton et al 2008). Multiple studies of TSSs have arrived at similar conclusions with regard to the effects of TSSs on tree development: Jacobs (1954), Harris and Hamilton (1969), Leiser et al (1972), Wrigley and Smith (1978), Harris (1984), andPatch (1987) have all shown that staking equipment increases tree height, while taper development and caliper growth are decreased. TSSs can cause changes in development because of a lack of movement in the canopy and trunk, which is necessary for proper taper development (Harris and Hamilton 1969).…”

Tree Stabilization: Current Products and Practices

“…• Detrimental tree growth effects: decreased caliper and trunk taper; increased trunk height; asymmetrical trunk growth; reduced root growth (Harris 1969;Burton and Smith 1972;Wrigley and Smith 1978;Appleton and Whitcomb 1984;Ellyard 1984;Harris 1984;Svihra et al 1999;Schuch and Kelly 2004); • Hazardous tree growth effects: trunk compression, girdling, or abrasion; development of less trunk flex response to wind (may snap above guying or when guying removed) (Neel 1971;Leiser et al 1972;Fulmer and Jones 1974)…”

“…Neel (1971) showed that motion, light, and growth regulators influenced trunk development (in particular, reaction wood formation) of several species. Harris (1984) reported that trunk staking is often unnecessary and can be detrimental to tree growth. The most recently published, peer-reviewed research compared the effect of three stabilization systems on the growth of Pyrus calleryana (Svihra et al 1999).…”

Root Systems of Trees-Facts and Fallacies

“…Staking is also somewhat controversial for newly planted trees. However, research has definitively shown that prolonged or too rigid of staking does not allow for sway of the tree resulting in inferior root growth as well as other undesirable effects to the tree (13).…”