r/Tree • u/Sir_maidenless • 1d ago
Advice Request - (Insert State/Region) Tree staking question
Hello I am located in the DFW area and I planted this tree about 6 months ago and it always had a slight lean but I know staking is usually unnecessary. Recently had a microburst with very strong gusts and I believe it might have gotten more angled. Should I stake or just let it be?
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u/cbobgo Outstanding contributor & š³helper 1d ago
Why was it planted so deep in a hole?
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u/Sir_maidenless 1d ago
Any advice on staking or not?
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u/cbobgo Outstanding contributor & š³helper 1d ago
Prob best bet is to dig it up and replant it, but I'd wait until after it drops leaves in the fall.
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u/Sir_maidenless 1d ago
You really think replanting completely is necessary? Iām not opposed because I want it to be successful. I know that this subreddit can be pretty critical of people who might make mistakes with planting trees so I expected some criticism of it.
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u/FreidasBoss 1d ago
Itās absolutely necessary.
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u/Sir_maidenless 1d ago
Okay, then Iāll make sure to replant it more appropriately. Thank you!
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u/impropergentleman Certified Arborist 19h ago
You are correct sometimes they can be very critical here. The reason you need to dig it up raise the level of the bed without burying the flare, is a depression around the truck like that will hold water. Which will increase the likelihood of fungus and mold. And I would almost say guarantee fungus and mold. Planted high it won't die. Plant it low it won't grow.
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u/wereweasle 1d ago
It'll be best for everyone long term that way. You don't want a crater in your yard, and you don't want to re-grade the whole thing (which you might not even be able to do due to pipes and wires and such).
The only way to avoid a suffocated or drowning tree is to get it planted at the proper depth, and the only way to do that is to dig it up and reposition it.
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u/Sir_maidenless 12h ago
Thank you! Replanting in the fall.
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u/wereweasle 11h ago
Good luck! It'll do better when dormant so feel free to wait until all the leaves have fallen!
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1d ago
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u/Sir_maidenless 1d ago
Thank you! The mulch had gone in a bit after the storm so normally there is more exposed but Iāll try to expose more of the flare.
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u/Whatsthat1972 22h ago
Iāve always staked and secured for a year, 2 at most. Stake it so it can have some movement.
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u/ModernNomad97 16h ago
Yeah I honestly think replanting at proper height is warranted. Itās discouraging to have to do that again I know but wait until winter and get it properly in the ground so it can live a long healthy life
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1d ago
[removed] ā view removed comment
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u/Sir_maidenless 1d ago
I believe I followed posting guidelines.
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u/Pamzella 1d ago
Fix that planting! Flare exposed is important, yes, but also not sitting in a bowl. Did you change the soil in the hole dug for the tree too? Fix that as well, you do not want to amend the hole, that can create a bathtub effect. The tree needs to be flare exposed at or slightly above ground level. If you wanted to amend the soil for the tree, put it down as mulch and let the decomposers do the rest!
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u/Sir_maidenless 1d ago
I did change soil out when planting, dug about a 2ft wide hole and 2ft deep, but I will replant and fix the bowl issue! Thank you!
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u/hugelkult Helper and encourager! šŖš„³ 1d ago
Its hanging on for dear life and you spotted it. Dont touch it until late fall when its cold. Then carefully dig it up and plant it at the correct height. Root flare above grade. Watch a video