Staking 7-Ft White Pines: Keep Stakes Until Spring

Two 7-ft white pines were staked at planting in central NJ (not very windy). Remove stakes now or wait?

Recommendation

• Keep stakes until late May next spring.
• Allows root establishment through winter.
• Remove before new growth hardens.

Why Not Remove Now

• Fall/winter winds can rock root ball before roots anchor.
• 7 ft is borderline; staking through first winter is cheap insurance.

Bottom Line

Leave stakes on until late May. Then remove. Tree will be solid.