tree staking ?

I bought a lovely Sorbus Josephs Rock the beginning of March and have planted it in an 18"w by 12" deep pot it has taken well and there are flower buds apearing just lately . My problem is it is sited on my patio which has been windy of late,and the base of the tree is rocking causing the tree to lean.It is only staked with a tall bamboo cane and just wondering if anyone can advise me on how to stabalise it more.

 

Hi netty. Sorbus can grow quite big and are usually planted straight into the ground. I have never tried to grow one in a container, but it may last a year or so.
Wherever it is planted, the bamboo cane is not going to be up to the job. Normally with newly planted trees you use a shorter, sturdy stake and drive it in at an angle so that it crosses the trunk of the tree at about 2ft high and is then tied with tree-ties. You are then securing the roots of the tree from the wind yet allowing movement in the trunk so that it toughens up.
I'm not sure how feasible this is in a pot. Perhaps others may have more advice. Good luck

 

You should only stake trees for about 1 year then take the stake out, trees need to rock in the wind so they send out better roots. Just been told that in my RHS class today, old books say stake but now they recommend not to.

 

Having lost a whitebeam which snapped at the graft union in high winds - I stake diagonally, low down. This allows the tree to move in the wind and encourage root growth, but gives some support to the weakest point. So far the replacement whitebeam is growing strongly.

 

thanks for the replies the chap who sold me the tree recommended this one as a tree for the patio and said that because it was contained it would not grow so big so fast.Dont no whether to replant it in the ground or no now.Any sugestions? If I did replant it when would be the best time of yearcos I would hate to lose it now!

 

If it is container grown, rather than bare root, it can be planted anytime, but it may be fine in the container for a bit. If we get strong winds just be careful of the whole thing being blown over.

 

For me, planting a tree is best done in the autumn - gives the roots time to settle before the spring and summer.

Just remember that a tree in a container needs a lot of feeding and watering. Planting at this time of year means you need to water at least every week.