Removing Tape Based on Time Elapsed Since Planting

• Tree supports such as stakes protect a young sapling from strong winds and accidental injury from objects like lawnmowers and vehicles. Badly placed stakes have earned this system a bad name in the horticultural business, since leaving the tapes and wires in place past the first year can impede the tree's growth and stunt root growth. This is because the trunk of a tree needs to move with the wind to stimulate growth hormones, which speed root and trunk development. An over-tight staking system, or one left in place too long, inhibits growth. To avoid this problem, remove the tape on tree supports one or two years after planting.
  
  

Removing Tape Based on the Age of a Tree

• A one-year-old tree is often ready to withstand the elements and survive hazards such as vandalism. Additional factors that aid a tree become independent of its stakes and tapes include proper planting technique, firm, but not tight staking and sufficient moisture. Carefully remove the tapes and stakes that support a young tree after its first year of growth.
  
  

Tree Overgrows Supports

• Any sign the support system has begun to injure the tree indicates tapes and stakes require immediate removal. Careful and regular inspection of young trees avoids problems when unexpected fast growth leads to tapes, wires or ties becoming embedded in the trunk of a tree. For certain kinds of fast-growing trees, marks left by their support system are visible on the trunk as soon as a few months after planting. In severe cases, tapes or ties "Girdle" a tree, forming a complete circle around its trunk, leading to restricted growth.
  
  

Removing Tapes Based on Tree Measurement

• For trees of uncertain age, measure the distance around the trunk and the height to check if it's time to remove the supporting tapes and stakes. A tree taller than 6 feet with a trunk over 2 inches in circumference is usually strong enough to live without supports. Exceptions occur in regions that experience extremely high winds, especially during the winter months. In this case, if no incursions into the trunk by tapes are present, return to remove the tapes on tree supports in the spring.