Do Not Wrap or Stake Trees. The ill-advised technique of staking trees was probably started years ago by those who planted bare-rooted trees and mistakenly put soft potting soil in the hole as backfill. Wrapping material around tree trunks probably got started because it looked important. Landscape contractors have admitted to me that brown paper wrap, tree stakes and guy wires and even the troublesome watering rings are added to newly planted trees for no other reason than to impress the homeowner. Never mind the fact that all these additions are detrimental to the young trees.

Tree staking with wires, ropes or cables cuts into the bark or at least crushes the cambium layer (even if rubber hoses are used) and causes stress and long term injury. Staking also prevents the natural movement of the tree in the wind which prevents the development of trunk caliper and trunk strength.

I have asked many people, including contractors, landscape architects and others, what is the purpose of wrapping gauze, paper, cardboard or burlap around the trunks of newly planted trees. The answers range all over the place, but include protection from insects, diseases, lawn mowers and weed eater damage and sunburn. Some tree wrappers admit that the only reason is that everyone does it. Look at the bark under some tree wrapping that’s been in place a while you’ll see that the cover actually encourages and protects insects and diseases and causes weak, shriveled bark – just like leaving a bandage on your finger too long. The only possible reason to wrap tree trunks is the rare possibility of sunburn to the trunks of thin- barked trees. If you’re worried about that, use a white wash of ½ white latex paint and ½ water. The tree will grow it off naturally. Tree Trunk Goop could also be used.

Trees planted properly don’t need the stakes, the wrapping or the expense.