Staking and Pruning

When you purchase your tree there may or not be a stake with it. Generally, the 5-6' trees have a stake and the smaller ones do not. Leave the stake on the tree as long as it lasts (probably about one year before it falls). If the tree is shorter than the stake then gently tie the straightest, upright branch to it as it grows.  This central upright branch is the LEADER. This will become the trunk of tree as it grows taller. A tree should only have one leader. If another branch develops and wants to grow beside it and compete with it then cut one off with pruning shears. Choose the straightest leader and cut the other one off.  When pruning do not cut branches off so that they are flush with the trunk...always leave a slight stub (about 1/16" to 1/8"). If you look closely at the point where a branch grows out from the trunk you will see a collar shaped bump. When pruning "keep the collar".  That is, cut the branch off but not so close to the trunk that you cut off the collar with it. The collar will assist in closing the wound so don't cut it off. Sometimes lower branches that are growing laterally want to become the leader.  These appear as an abnormally thick or long branch. You can tell the ones that are getting too big by looking at the diameter of the offending branch. If the diameter of the branch is 1/3 or more the diameter of the trunk at the point of attachment then cut it back by one-half of its original length. Next year it can cut be it off entirely if it does not affect the overall shape of the tree.. Don't be too quick to prune off branches. They actually assist in the growing of trunk diameter so they are important. In the nursery we cut off all branches below knee height (this includes suckers at the base of the tree) and only cut off the ones that are competing to be the leader. Below knee height there is nothing green coming from the trunk.  The rest we try to leave alone.  As the tree gets older you can remove successively higher branches in order to mow around them.  Remember they do serve the tree so don't be too quick to cut them off. If you've purchased a smaller tree then staking is advisable. We use plastic tying tape available at any retail nursery or mass merchandiser. The purpose of staking is to guide the tree; not anchor it to the stake. Loosely tie the tree to the stake at 8" to 12" intervals. If you can get a pencil between the tie and the tree that is plenty tight. This ring will allow the tree to wiggle in the breeze. This movement is critical to trunk development. Without it the trunk will not grow as thick as it could. You may wish to loosely wrap the trunk loosely with chicken wire in order to keep nibbling rabbits away.  After a couple years the chicken wire can be removed.  Once the trunk is 1" or better you can remove this protection.