Even while society as a whole is becoming more aware and progressive towards positive environmental changes, there are still some things being done that harm our trees. There is a plethora of information readily available but with that also comes the difficulty of pinpointing what is true and what is not. One easy thing to do amongst the chaos is to simply maintain the trees you currently have. We here at Five Star Tree Care Services want to go over some ways people are unintentionally harming their trees with tree supports.
What Are Tree Supports?
A common debate amongst people is whether to use supports on a newly planted tree or not. Depending on who you ask, you will get mixed and opposing reviews and people who are against both options. On the one hand, people think that staking a tree weakens it and doesn’t allow it to build natural strength by itself. However, it has been proven that if you properly stake a tree, it can actually help it grow and be healthy and stable.
Advantages of Using Supports on A Tree
If correctly implemented you will:
-have a stable place for your tree to properly develop its root system
-keep it upright
-provide awareness of a newly planted tree
Disadvantages of Using Supports on A Tree
If improperly implemented:
-strangling can happen if ties are not removed at the appropriate time
-if ties are too tight it can’t build proper trunk tapering (a necessary structural growth element)
-if ties are too loose it won’t properly work to hold it upright.
-supports need to be properly placed outside the root zone as to not interfere with root growth and to avoid damaging current roots.
What You Should Do
Since there appears to be more disadvantages than advantages, many people will instantly opt to not use tree supports, however, we actually do recommend using them for any newly planted tree. When using tree supports is actually done properly, it should be used for all planting. When using them remember: always keep an eye on the tree’s growth, make sure to adjust the supports when needed, be mindful of the support placement, and take them down when it is appropriate.
Supports are there to aid a young tree establishing itself. Trees need time to build up resilience to things like wind. Tree supports are actually vital in helping a tree’s long term success.
How Trees Get Strangled
Most times, people are unintentionally strangling their trees and don’t even realize it until the damage is already done. Tree supports are one way that trees unfortunately get strangled but there are other ways this happens as well. Some other ways include:
-Swings
-Clotheslines
-Animal chains
-Christmas lights
-And more
Basically, anything that can be wrapped around a tree has the potential to strangle it if left unchecked. Tree strangling can be deadly to the tree because it directly affects its ability to carry nutrients up from the roots to the top of the tree. If the strangling gets bad enough, it can completely stop the flow and kill the tree. Not to mention it also stresses the tree, which is also not good. If, by chance, strangling doesn’t kill the tree, it will now have a weak spot where it is being strangled.
How Five Star Tree Services Can Help
We here at Five Star Tree Services want to help create awareness for these easily avoidable things, such as tree strangling. We also want to help stop misinformation about things like tree supports, which are extremely helpful when planting new trees. If you ever have any questions about tree care or would like to utilize our tree planting services in Toronto or the surrounding area, make sure to give us a call at (416) 990-3355!