Not every garden owner gives their freshly planted apple tree support at first. Due to various tree-specific factors, there are good reasons for tying the apple tree to a wooden stake or other stabilizer.
How to properly tie an apple tree?
An apple tree can be attached either to a single wooden stake or to a triangular structure made up of three wooden stakes. Use soft, natural binding material such as coconut rope to secure the trunk and prevent the material from growing in.
Transplanting as a critical point in the life of an apple tree
Basically, apple trees should only be planted in autumn if possible. The best time is when all the leaves have already fallen but there is no frost outdoors yet. During this rest phase, tree sap circulation reaches its lowest level. This means that when the apple tree changes location, its chances of growth and survival increase enormously compared to planting in spring or summer. Apple trees are particularly susceptible to drying out because their fine hair roots are very sensitive. That's why you should water an apple tree thoroughly during and after planting.
The method of tying to a stake
As a rule, a wooden stake is sufficient to stabilize the trunk for a small to medium-sized seedling. Ideally, this should be driven into the ground with a hammer about 15 centimeters deep at the edge of the planting hole before the tree is inserted. This prevents the stake tip from injuring the main roots, compared to hammering in after planting. Also maintain a distance of at least 20 centimeters from the tree trunk so as not to hinder root growth. If necessary, the wooden post can also be driven in at a slight angle towards the apple tree trunk. Then the post and tree trunk are connected with a coconut rope or other natural binding material by wrapping the material around both in horizontal figure eights.
Build a support from three wooden posts
For larger trees or in windy areas, it may be advisable to support the apple tree with a triangular structure. To do this you need:
- three construction strips as supports and one for cross connections
- a hand saw
- a hammer
- some nails
- Binding material made of soft natural fiber
Use cross connectors to form an even structure from the wooden posts with the tree trunk in the middle. Then run a simple loop from each wooden stake around the tree trunk. With this method, the binding material is not closed around the trunk, so it cannot grow in.
Tips & Tricks
You should never use wire to tie an apple tree as it will grow into the bark of the tree.