Expert: Jim Hyland - 8/7/2009

Question
QUESTION: I planted 3 Italian cypress 3 years ago.  They are now about 9 feet tall and very pretty and full. But they must be staked. If I remove the stakes they fall over so that the tip touches the ground.  Yet they are so tall I can't find a way to stake them properly.  Will they ever support themselves?

ANSWER: Yes they will over time grow enough trunk diameter to support themselves.  Here is a web link to how to stake evergreen trees. http://www.daytonnursery.com/tips/Tree_Staking.htm


---------- FOLLOW-UP ----------

QUESTION: The web site on staking trees is useful, but not applicable to my 9 ft. tall Italian cypresses.  I must stake every inch of the 9 ft.; if I leave even a foot at the top, the top bends completely over.  I've tried rebar, and wood stakes, but it's hard to get something deep & strong enough to support them. They are so tall it seems they would be getting just a little strength by now, but not at all.  Can you suggest what to use to stake such at tall tree, right to the top? I must take them out if I can't find a solution.  Thanks very much.

Answer
Why not try putting a stable brace like maybe a 2x2 wooden lumber the height of the tree along the tree trunk and tie (not too tight) the trunk to the 2x2 and then stake the 2x2 as if it where the trunk. That way the tree would be up right and not sag. You will not need to get it in the ground much since what you want is to keep the tree from bending. This should give the support. I would then fertilize the tree with 10-10-10 fertilizer at the rate of 1 lb per inch of trunk diameter scattered around the tree and watered in good. This should give the tree a boost in growth and help the diameter growth.