What is the best way to support a your maple tree?

Question

I have 2 maple trees that are 3 and 4 feet tall each. They are starting to grow off to one side, I think from the wind always pushing them. How should I support them to keep them growing straight?

Answer 1

Any kind of rigid support could do damage to the trees. Rigid support entails placing something directly around the tree. As the tree grows in diameter the support does not move this will eventually "strangle" the tree. Since trees vascular system is directly under the bark.
A rigid support will also not allow the tree to move (sway in the wind). This will promote the tree to have poor taper to the trunk. and make for a weak tree.

Here is what I would do. Place a steel stake about 4 feet away. Take a bungee cord and fasten it to the stake. The other end would be fastened around the trunk of the tree with enough tension to straighten the tree. The bungee will allow for movement. YOU MUST MOVE THE BUNGEE END THAT IS ATTACHED TO THE TREE PERIODIC LY THROUGHOUT THE GROWING SEASON (3 times will suffice). This will prevent the cored from becoming grown into the tree.

Straightening a tree will take many years by the way.

Answer 2

Maple trees are pretty hearty trees. They do well with lots of water. My advice would be to use twine and tie the tree to a stake aligned right next to the tree. Trimming it will also help.

Answer 3

My 1st thoughts on support were a course of counselling or take it to a self help group but I think the best thing is to prune it to balance it as much as poss. the cause needs to be fixed, some kind of hedge or anything that will filter & slow down the wind.

Answer 4

Three ropes staked to the ground and looped to the trunk. Get the straight now before it is too late. Keep the stakes until they are large enough not to be blown over...maybe, 6 feet tall.

Answer 5

We use a rope and tie it down with ground staples. Works perfectly.