I was wondering if any Dopers have staked a tree. How do you tie off the end of the wire? Just keep twisting it around itself? if this is correct, it just seems that the tree, pulling against the wire, will win out causing the wire to untwist and loosen. So, how do you stake a tree? - Jinx
It would help to know how big the tree is. In any case, you don’t want to wrap a wire directly around the tree. Protect the trunk of the tree from the wire with a piece of garden hose, pipe insulation, or something similar. Better yet, wrap a rag around the bole and tie your wire to the rag. If you tie the wire directly to the tree, growth will absorb the wire.
For a small plant, a tall stake alongside it will probably suffice. I use rebar for such projects. For a larger plant, three guy wires, evenly spaced and properly anchored, would be better.
The recommendation these days is only two wires opposite each other, or so I’ve been told. Apparently having the tree sway around just a little helps the roots develop.
**Jinx ** - Just twisting the wire around itself will be plenty secure.