Hardwood tree stakes

Jaybro’s GEOmasta products are perfect for landscaping contractors planting out large estates and verges. GEOmasta’s quality landscaping range is ideal for commercial and residential developments. Plus, GEOmasta products comply with the many local council regulations, as well as requirements for civil projects. To keep your new trees and plants protected and give them the best chance to thrive, here are our top 3 recommended tree protection products.

Give landscaping projects the best chance of success

Whether you’re planting out a commercial development or installing new street trees, tree planting is a time consuming and costly process. Depending on the location, it can involve mechanical processes like concrete cutting, jack hammering, manual excavation and disposal of soil. Then there is the actual planting, mulching, and installation of tree guards. If you are working near vehicular or pedestrian traffic, there’s the added hassle of traffic control measures or scheduling work outside of peak times.

All this time and effort is lost if the tree dies shortly after planting and must be replaced. Therefore, it’s essential that the plant be in great condition to start with, and also the tree is adequately protected and cared for as it becomes established. 

So what are our top 3 must-haves? 

1 HARDWOOD TREE STAKES

The GEOmasta® range of premium hardwood stakes is perfectly suited to landscaping contractors. Manufactured from premium Australian hardwood, these council-compliant tree stakes are suitable for both commercial and residential purposes.

2. HESSIAN TREE TIES

Jaybro also stocks a hard wearing hessian tree tie. For use with hardwood stakes, tree ties limit the movement and also support newly planted trees and shrubs. Hessian ties meet many local council requirements, being 50mm wide. Our hessian tree tie is biodegradable, lasting up to 12 months in the outdoors, and comes in a 33 metre roll.

3. CORFLUTE TREE GUARDS

GEOmasta® Corflute Tree protection guards are a heavy duty rigid plastic shelter for young trees, designed to protect against damaging winds and herbicide overspray. They also create a tree protection zone, preventing animal damage.

Let’s take a closer look at these essential products for landscaping contractors. 

Council approved hardwood tree stakes

Hardwood tree stakes are specified by many local councils to support proper tree management. These guidelines exist to ensure seedlings and trees planted by landscape contractors are managed in a standardised, consistent manner.  Specifically, hardwood stakes are required due to their strength and durability. 

Hardwood is an ideal tree stake material, being tough and long lasting. Its durability is derived from the way the tree forms its cellular structure, creating a very dense wood that resists heavy duty outdoor use. 

Commonly, councils require a minimum of 50mm square hardwood tree stakes. These can be fixed to the tree using hessian tree ties. The aim is to keep the tree straight and support it during the first few years of growth. 

As a real-life example, Sydney’s Randwick Council indicates that 50mm hardwood tree stakes should be used, along with 50mm hessian tree ties. Their guidelines indicate workers should “stake the trees using 2 x 50mm x 50mm x 1500mm hardwood stakes. Trees are to be supported with two lengths of 50mm wide nylon or hessian tie stapled to stakes.”

Similarly, Geelong City Council notes that only wooden stakes are approved for use, not star posts or any other type of post:

“Wooden stakes must only be used. Metal stakes or star pickets will be not approved for use in any location. It is preferable that tree ties are hessian banding. Tree ties must be secured to each of the stakes. ‘Shoe string’ or nylon interlocking type ties will not be approved for use.” 

The Town of Cambridge in Western Australia has guidelines stating “two 50mm stakes are to be placed parallel with the kerb and the tree to be secured with a tie placed approximately half the tree's height. The height of the stake should not exceed the height of the tree.”

The GEOmasta range includes 50mm hardwood tree stakes in heights of 1500mm, 1800mm and 2100mm. Therefore they are suitable for a variety of plants from saplings to more established trees.

If trees are of a suitable maturity, stakes may not be required. However, it’s common for smaller immature trees to be planted and therefore hardwood tree stakes are needed. Once the tree reaches about 100mm wide at the base of the trunk, stakes are no longer required. They can be removed to make way for the final base treatment of the tree.

How to stake trees with hessian tree ties

After planting, hardwood tree stakes are initially attached using jute ties or hessian tree ties. Jaybro’s GEOmasta range of hessian tree ties meet most council requirements, being 50mm wide. These hard wearing tree ties limit movement of the tree in wind and weather. They are also biodegradable, lasting up to 12 months on site. 

Most council guidelines specify two or three hardwood tree stakes per plant, depending on its maturity. For a residential landscaping project for example, two hardwood tree stakes can be fixed to the tree with hessian tree tape. A length of hessian tree tie is passed around the tree trunk and stapled to the stakes, which are positioned either side of the tree. This provides a strong yet biodegradable brace. 

Note you should always check your local guidelines for specific council requirements in your area. 

Corflute Tree Guards

When particularly small trees are used in a landscaping project, environmental rehabilitation, or a reforestation area, tree guards may be a better choice. 

Tree guards are lightweight triangular corflute sheaths, folded around the immature tree or sapling and fixed with a small tree stake. 

These corflute tree guards offer protection to the growing plant, preventing damage by animals and severe weather. They are also made from a solid polypropylene corflute material, therefore they protect against herbicides and weed chemical overspray. Although they have small holes for ventilation, they provide excellent protection to small native plants. 

They are very durable, quick and easy to install requiring only one tree stake. They can be reused if required, because they are designed to last up to 3 seasons in tough Australian conditions. This means that they meet most local council requirements. As an example, Queensland’s Logan City Council regulations specify trees in grassed areas should be fitted with a “plastic grow tube, typically staked in a triangular format. Species smaller than 750mm in height are to be ‘marker’ staked.”

How to use tree guards

Corflute plant guards are quick and easy to set up – simply unfold the flat packed plastic tree guard and gently place it over the planted tree. Ensure the branches are kept close to tree to prevent damage. Then, open the slots in the back of the guard and insert one of our GEOmasta 11 mm hardwood tree stakes.

Taking care to avoid damaging the roots, gently drive the stake or tree guard peg into the soil with a lump hammer or mallet. Finally, ensure the stake is inserted a minimum of 200 millimetres into the soil. This prevents it from being accidentally dislodged by animals.

Other landscaping supplies available from Jaybro

As a leader in geotextiles, drainage and landscaping essentials, GEOmasta has a wide range of products suitable for all types of site preparation, soil stabilisation, erosion control, drainage, watering and landscaping. In addition to hardwood tree stakes, we also supply other types of stakes such as tomato stakes, silt fence stakes, and surveyor’s pegs. 

If your tree planting project is part of a larger scope of works, take a look at Jaybro’s huge range of GEOmasta products, such as sand bags, jute matting, coir logs, gabions, sheet drain, and much more!