Stabilization is used in order to maintain an esthetically pleasant view and to help the tree or large shrub for proper establishment. Stabilization aids the plant by preventing uprooting, broken trunks and fractured roots. However, it must be used only when the plant needs it. Failure to do so may contribute to the damage of trunk by rubbing and wounding if the rope or wire are too loosen, or by girdling if they are too tight. Also it is more expensive and it increases the installation cost between 15 to 30 %.
Staking is a method of stabilization used on trees less than 1.5 inches in trunk caliper. One stake is appropriate for small trees, two stakes must be used on larger trees, and three stakes are usually used in order to provide greater stability and protection from lawn maintenance equipment, and anything that can damage the trunk or root crown.
Guying is used for trees with two inches and greater caliper trunks. This method anchors the tree trunk to the ground by the use of cable, rope or webbing attached to wooden stakes, anchors or deadmen placed firmly in the ground. It is of great importance to remember that both staking and guying must be removed after one growing season.
Another method used to stabilized trees is the use of wooden dowels. This method is used for trees with large canopy but small root ball. On this method untreated wooden dowels are placed into the root ball anchoring it into the soil below the root ball. Another method similar to the use of wooden dowels method is the root ball stabilization which adds a 2x2 board between 2 stakes placed on top of the root ball.
Another topic to take in consideration for plant establishment is the use of planting pits and planters. Because of the limitations of space, water and nutrient intake, poor root expansion, and the creation of a harmful microclimate, street trees are bounded to performed poorly in urban sites. Planting pits basically allows the expansion of roots without damaging paving...