Should I stake this peach tree?
I planted this peach tree in the spring of 2019. I am located in the Catskills in New York State, and it is a Reliance Peach. The tree did well. I got some peaches last year, the first season, and I've got a good number coming this year. Only one problem: this was my very first peach tree (or tree of any kind). We're on an incline, and I did not plant it very skillfully. As you can see it is leaning to the left due to my sloppiness.
This year I staked it for a time to correct the leaning. After a week or two I removed the staking to see how it was going. It seemed ok so I kept the staking off, and after a few days the leaning resumed. The question is whether I should stake it again and, if so, for how long.
I consulted an arborist (who was treating my ash trees for borers), and he was noncommital. He said I "could" stake the tree, and if so I should remove the stake as soon as it could stand by itself. He's not big on staking trees, and that seems to be the consensus of what I've consulted online. Still, it does seem to be a pronounced lean and I don't see how that can be good for the tree.
Anyway, any thoughts would be appreciated. Thank you.
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Comments (9)
ken_adrian Adrian MI cold Z5
3 years agoGeorge Smith
3 years agoRelated Discussions
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Comments (3)Oaks don't 'like' to be forced to do anything. - staking a tree that size will be remarkably unproductive - the current lean will never be enough to cause it to fall from it's own weight - the crown will even up but that section of trunk will retain that lean Looks like a Live Oak? It's not a tree with a long central leader anyway so the current form will evolve into a form that you'd note as typical for the species (ie. not having a long straight dominant leader)....See MoreShould I stake this tree?
Comments (9)' The folks at the nursery told me to plant it with the lean facing north and that should eventually correct it. ' LOL! now i've heard everything. A slight lean may correct itself to a small extent bc that's the nature of trees. Otherwise, you should have corrected it by setting it in the ground so it looked straight. That can still be done being it's just been planted. Straightening it by staking isn't always reliable and can take a season or two before it can be released. Make sure the root flare is not buried and is at ground level or a bit above....See MoreGeorge Smith
3 years agosah67 (zone 5b - NY)
3 years agolast modified: 3 years agoGeorge Smith
3 years agolast modified: 3 years agoWell now I'm worried about tipping over, but have staked to prevent that. I just found a picture of the three peaches we got on Sept. 8 of last year (we planted it on April 17, 2019). They were huge. Now we must be getting a dozen at least. Picture below shows the tree as of May 3. The white flags keep away the deer..
From what I've seen on pruning on the web, I seem to have missed the boat and will have to wait until next year..
Embothrium
3 years agoGeorge Smith
3 years agoI've re-staked the tree, not to correct the leaning but to prevent toppling, as I have at least 21 peaches on this tree, vs. three last year. I'll remove the staking once the peaches are gone, and
then prune at the appropriate time. Am supporting the tree with an old hose with a wire therein.
Embothrium
3 years ago
gardengal48 (PNW Z8/9)