UF/IFAS Okeechobee County Extension Service

458 Highway 98 North

Okeechobee, FL 34972-2578

Phone: (863) 763-6469

E- mail:  dfculbert@ifas.ufl.edu

September 30, 2004

Feature Article - for release the week of October 3, 2004

Dan Culbert - Extension Horticulture Agent

To stake or not to stake

Our hurricane recovery efforts include making a decision on what to do with uprooted trees.   Should they be just cut up and added to the yard trash pile, or can they be put back upright and saved?  Today’s column will help you decide which is the better choice for your Florida Yard – to stake or not to stake.

Dr. Ed Gilman, University of Florida Horticulture Professor, has already been on the cutting edge of examining Florida trees over the past few weeks.  When considering whether to remove or stand up trees in your landscape, see if any of the situations described below apply to your landscape.  If these causes of failure can not be changed, err on the side or removal.  Here are some of the lessons learned from the recent hurricanes from hurricanes Charley and Frances:

• Trees that are preventively pruned are less likely to fail than neglected trees.
• Apparently healthy trees can blow down because supportive roots have decayed or soil becomes soft from saturation. Trees with one dominant trunk fair better than trees with codominant stems.
• Trees with bark inclusions are prone to falling apart.
• Large trees blow over; recently planted trees blow over; well established young trees are less likely to blow over.
• Construction activities within about 20 feet of the trunk of existing trees can cause the tree to blow over more than a decade later.
• Trees in shallow soils are more prone to blow over than trees rooted more deeply.
• Laurel oaks are prone to failure in hurricanes.
• Large pruning cuts create decay and cracks that can lead to breakage in storms.
• Trees become unstable in soils saturated by lots of rain.
• Trees blow down in the prevailing wind direction.
• Root defects such as girdling roots cause trees to blow over.
• Uprooted trees can break underground utility lines such as water and sewer.
• Queen palms are prone to falling over; cabbage and Phoenix palms are able to stand firm in hurricanes.
• Trees in a group blow down less frequently than single trees.
• Tree trunks can be hollow without openings in the lower trunk; these are prone to failure in storms.
• Trees growing in confined soil spaces are prone to blowing over.

  This small Mango tree blew over in Jeanne with no significant root damage; it is a prime candidate for staking.	This Jacaranda tree blew over after Hurricane Francis.  Heavy top limbs with damage were removed, ripped roots were cleanly cut, root trenches were dug, the tree was staked, and topsoil added to recover the exposed roots.	The Jacaranda withstood the effects of hurricane Jeanne!

If you decide to pull a tree up and re-stake it, be sure to assemble all the necessary materials, equipment and manpower.  If it will be some time before you can get to these tasks, place loose soil or mulch over any exposed roots to keep them from being sunburned until the tree can be given the attention it needs.   If they become dry, water them.  Consider the application of soil applied fungicide drenches if the trees are know to be sensitive to root rot diseases.

Trim the ends of damaged roots and remove damaged wood from the tree’s canopy while it is on its side.  Wrap soft rope, not chains, around the trunk and pull it into its upright position with manpower or machines. Have the stakes in the ground, ready to accept the supporting ties.   There are a few different approaches currently used when planting new trees; they ought to apply to larger trees, but on a bigger scale.

• Three short stakes are driven into the soil with the tips pointing away from the trunk.  They are attached to the trunk with rubber or similar stretchable material – the ties are secured on major branches above the center of the trunk and are parallel with the direction of the stakes.
• Three short stakes driven into straight into the soil attached to the trunk with stretchable material. These will be the most secure staking method.

Wide plastic strips or rubber strapping causes less injury to the trunk than many other securing materials. These flexible materials can expand as the trunk grows. Do not use wire in garden hose to secure trees because these can injure or girdle the tree. 

Be sure to water in any displaced soil, and replace any that may have been lost.  Add sufficient mulch over the root zone to conserve water, but do not add fertilizer until after regrowth begins to appear.

 There are many other useful tips in dealing with storm recovery from the University of Florida .  Individual fact sheets are available in printed from our office.  If you need additional information on Florida Yard recovery, please email us at okeechobee@ifas.ufl.eduor  call us at 863-763-6469.  Local residents can stop by our office at 458 Hwy 98 North in Okeechobee, and  visit our Okeechobee County Master Gardeners on Tuesday afternoons from 1 to 5 PM on Tuesday afternoons.  

References

Gilman, Ed.  “Pruning shade trees in landscapes”   Gainesville:  UF/IFAS Extension Service, September 2004.  http://hort.ifas.ufl.edu/woody/pruning/index.htm     A great site that shows pictures of all this information!  

Bohl, Steve.  "Storm-Damaged Trees Are Resilient, Examine Them Thoroughly Before Removing, Bronson Advises" Tazllahassee:  Florida Department of Agriculture & Consumer Services, Press release, 10/1/2004. http://www.doacs.state.fl.us/press/2004/10012004.html

Trade names, where used, are given for the purpose of providing specific information. They do not constitute an endorsement or guarantee of products named, nor does it imply criticism of products not named. The Florida Cooperative Extension Service - Institute of Food and Agricultural Sciences is an equal opportunity/affirmative action employer authorized to provide research, educational information, and other services to individuals and institutions that function without regard to race, color, sex, age, handicap, or national origin.  Florida Cooperative Extension Service / IFAS / University of Florida.  Larry A.  Arrington, Dean. This page is maintained by  Dan Culbert