Planting young trees, whether in a park, on a campus or in a streetscape, requires stabilizing the thin, rather fragile trunks against the rigors of outdoor conditions. Above ground anchoring and guying is common, but can stress or even inhibit normal tree growth. Aesthetics are a concern, but safety is more critical. Not long ago, a youth biking in a park was clotheslined by a tree's guy wire and suffered serious injuries. Clearly, below-grade stabilization meets the safety, aesthetics and "what's best for the tree" concerns. In this article we explore below-grade stabilization methods of four manufacturers.

Tree Stabilizer Kits fit any caliper tree. Wind and soil conditions determine which kit is right for you application. Each kit comes with Installation Instructions and three each of the following: 1.5" x 20" perforated tubes, 6' strap with built-in harness (harnesses removed after 8 to 12 months), cam buckles with hooks, and two-year time release fertilizer tablets.
Photo Courtesy of UPI Manufacturing

 


UPI Manufacturing Tree Stabilizer Kits
UPI Manufacturing Tree Stabilizer Kits come packaged with all the components necessary to stabilize a newly planted tree. These kits install in a fraction of the time as compared to conventional practices and stabilize the root ball, while allowing movement to the canopy.

The perforated tubes bring water and oxygen to the tree's roots for the life of the tree. Once established, the harness straps can be removed. Stabilizer tubes stay below or slightly above grade, providing a safer environment for kids playing near the trees, and a more aesthetic and favorable appearance. The kits conserve water by controlling run off and limiting the amount of time necessary for irrigation to supply enough water to the lower roots.

The ROOT ANCHOR• underground tree staking allows trees to look their best on day one. Trees are anchored at the root level: no stakes, T-posts and guy wires.
Photo Courtesy of Tree Stake Solutions

Root Anchor• Tree Staking
The Root Anchor• is tree staking that involves centering a ring over the surface of the root ball, then driving three stakes outside the root ball into undisturbed earth. The resulting underground cage allows young roots to develop in a stable environment, while holding the transplanted tree upright during high winds. The manufacturer says the design prevents tree trunk damage and reduces future maintenance costs and liability.

As the Root Anchor is invisible, installed trees look their best, and there's nothing to block a mower or view. Securing the tree at the root allows the tree to grow naturally, avoiding trunk girdling, dangerous stakes, T-posts and guy wires.

A hole is dug for the root ball. Three triangulated anchors, attached by cables that terminate in eyelets, are driven into the ground via a steel rod. Once anchored, the rod is removed. With the tree now in the hole, straps are attached to the eyelets and to a "D-ring." The straps are then tensioned by a hand ratchet to secure the root ball.

DUCKBILL® Anchors
DUCKBILL anchors can be used with guy systems, but the company also has a Root Ball Kit that is specifically designed to hold the tree's root ball firmly in place. This system uses a triangulation of anchors with a D-ring, one strap and a hand ratchet. The system is based on driving anchors below the root ball hole, attaching a strap to the cable eyelets of those anchors and ratcheting the straps to the desired tension. The manufacturer says it is an effective, lightweight and economical anchoring application for large or small trees.

Q & A with Tree Staple•
Tree Staple• stabilizers hold a tree's root ball firmly in place. The longest prong (see above) provides vertical support and serves as an anchor below the root ball. This minimizes shifting in the soil. The cross member stretches across a portion of the root ball, applying downward pressure. This allows proper movement of the tree in the wind. The shortest prong restricts twisting, further reducing ball movement and firmly locking the root ball in-place.

1. How many stabilizers do I use?
Two are all you need for most plantings. Occasionally, conditions such as loose or sandy soil, extreme winds or tree size may require a third stabilizer. Instructions for installation are included in each box.

2. What sized stabilizers should be used?
The best holding power results when the stabilizers extend a minimum of 12" below the depth of the root ball. In loose or sandy soil conditions or in extreme wind conditions, you can add a third stabilizer.

3. How long does it take to install tree stabilizers?
It takes one person about one minute to install two stabilizers.

4. Do I need any special tools?
All you need is a sledge hammer.

5. What are the stabilizers made of?
Uncoated, plain carbon steel.

6. Do I still need to use guy wires in areas with high winds?

A tree that has been properly planted with Tree Staple stabilizers will hold as well as or better than other methods. Guy wire installations introduce an unnatural stress at the point where they attach to the tree. Often, strong winds will break the tree at this point.

7. Is below-grade stabilizing good for trees?
Below-grade stabilizers eliminate potential girdling, damage to the bark and the abnormal stress normally created by traditional, guy wire methods. This allows the tree to move in the wind, the way nature intended.

8. Do you have to adjust or remove the stabilizers?
Tree Staple landscape products eliminate the need for subsequent maintenance or retrieval.