Re: Planting and Staking
- Subject: Re: Planting and Staking
- From: "Marge Talt" m*@hort.net
- Date: Wed, 23 Oct 2002 00:38:49 -0400
Well, I've been waiting for some real gurus to speak up and they have
not, so I will take a swing at your questions...
1) That's what I'd do. Give the sparse side the sun and it should
fill out in time.
2) your curvy elm. Trying to straighten a leader is not a bad plan.
If the trunk has any rigidity at all, you can splint the curvy leader
to it instead of a ground stake....would be better for the tree as it
is not a good idea to stake them tight to ground stakes. They do
need to sway with the breeze; toughens them up for one thing.
You can use something fairly light weight but stiff to tie the leader
to and just have that something long enough to extend far enough down
the trunk to keep the leader upright - bamboo comes to mind; stiff
but light weight.
Do not have a clue to how many years. Would suggest checking it
every 6 months or so - like untie it and see what it does. You'd need
to do that anyway to adjust the ties so they don't strangle the
trunk. Use something fairly soft to tie - maybe even duct tape or
electrician's tape - so they don't cut into the bark. Once it seems
to be going in the right direction, remove the splint.
Marge Talt, zone 7 Maryland
mtalt@hort.net
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----------
> From: Marian Raitz <mcraitz@onemain.com>
>
> Hi all,
> (Still there?)
>
> Two questions today. First, when planting a tree or shrub in an
open area
> is it best to rotate it so that the sparse side faces the light,
with the
> assumption that growth will reach toward the light, thus balancing
the
> shape?
>
> Next, staking. I've read that when planting a small tree it's best
to
> stabilize the lower trunk but leave the top free to move in the
wind. My 7'
> Elm whip has a very wimpy curved top after almost three years.
Should I
> pull the top back and imprison it against a tall stake until it
gains some
> strength and rigidity? How many years?!
> Thanks,
> Marian Raitz
> Bellevue Washington Zone 8
>
>
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