How to Stake Citrus Trees Like an Expert: 6 Steps for Better Growth and Stability

While most trees, including citrus trees, benefit from support after planting, the support can be severely damaged if planted incorrectly or left on the tree for too long. Knowing how to stake citrus trees properly ensures that your orange, grapefruit, and lemon trees get a strong start to a long, productive life. This guide explains the materials and steps needed to staking citrus trees, and how to know when to remove the stakes.

Do all citrus trees need staking?

Citrus trees don’t always need stakes, but stakes can help new trees get established quickly and prevent damage in windy weather. Tree stakes are especially useful for trees with bare roots or heavy tops, dwarf citrus trees with small root systems, and trees growing on slopes and in windy areas. However, semi-mature citrus trees with large trunks and trees growing in sheltered areas may not need any support at all, and the support should be removed from the tree once the trunk of any citrus tree is strong and its roots are well established.

When to stake a citrus tree?

The best time to stake a citrus tree is when you first plant it in your garden. This ensures that the plants are protected from breakage from the start and helps you avoid disturbing the tree’s roots. However, you can add stakes later if necessary, for example if the tree starts to bend or strong winds cause it to topple over.

Staking Technique

There are several techniques for staked citrus trees, and the method you choose will depend on your gardening style, your tree, and the materials you have available. Many growers stake citrus trees with wooden or bamboo garden stakes, plastic or metal tree stakes, or tents and twine, but you can also find ready-made tree stake kits that include all the materials you need to stake citrus plants.

The number of tree stakes you need will depend on the size of the tree and how strong the winds are where it grows. If your tree trunk is less than 3 inches in diameter, you can simply use a tree stake tilted on the windward side of the tree. However, if you are working with a large tree or planting in a windy area, you may need to use two or three stakes.

Citrus Tree Staking Steps

Here are the materials and steps needed to staking citrus trees with the three-stake system, but it can be modified to suit your tree and growing conditions.

What You Need?

3 sturdy stakes of equal size

Outdoor twine or rope

A piece of old garden hose or rubber tubing

A sledgehammer

1. Cut the hose to the proper length

If you are using an old garden hose, cut it into three equal sections, each several inches longer than the diameter of the tree trunk. These sections of hose will serve as spacers to prevent weeds from rubbing against the tree trunk and causing damage.

2. Plant the trees

Dig a planting hole that is as deep as the tree’s root ball and two to three times as wide. Amend the excavated soil with a little compost or aged manure, then plant the tree in the hole so that the top of the tree’s root ball is level with the soil line, then fill the planting hole with the amended soil. Water the tree well and add mulch to prevent weeds from growing.

3. Plant the trees

Place a stake outside the tree’s root zone and drive the stake into the soil with a sledgehammer at a 45-degree angle. Place several stakes evenly spaced around the tree and drive them into the soil at least 16 to 18 inches deep to ensure that it does not move.

4. Add twine

Cut the string into three equal lengths and thread each length of string through a garden hose. Place a piece of string 1/3 to 1/2 from the tree trunk or above the first set of branches on the tree. Carefully position the garden hose splitter against the tree trunk so that the weeds do not touch the tree bark.

Make a loop or figure-8 pattern with the string and tie the other end of the string to the nearest tree stake at a 45-degree angle. Repeat this process two more times until each length of string is secured to the tree and the tree stake. The stake should be tied tightly enough that the tree does not bend in bad weather, but loose enough that the tree can grow and move slightly back and forth when the wind blows.

5. Prune regularly

Check tree stakes throughout the year—especially after storms—to make sure the ties haven’t slipped, rubbed against the bark, or grown into them. If necessary, adjust the ties to fit the growing tree and protect the bark from damage.

6. Remove the stake

Tree stumps help to grow new trees, but they should be removed after one to two years when the trees are well established. Over-staking—leaving the stakes longer than the trees—increases the chance of girdle formation as the trunk grows and weakens the tree trunks, making them more susceptible to wind damage.

Tips for Staking Citrus Trees

Staking citrus trees is a relatively simple process, but here are some other tips to keep in mind when staking citrus trees or any other tree in your yard.

Choose flexible materials. When staking up citrus trees, choose soft, flexible materials that won’t stretch or break, such as nylon and rubber tubing. Unlike metal wire, these bendable materials move with the tree and are less likely to damage its delicate bark.

Allow for movement. Never plant trees so close together that their trunks feel stiff. Allowing trees to move slightly in the wind will strengthen their trunks over time.

Stake if necessary. If you are planting a large tree that needs extra support, installing crossbars between the stakes can make it stronger. For extra strength, use two to three stakes per tree and secure the trunk at the base and center of the tree with two long strings on each tree stake.

Consider the wind. Place your tree stake in the direction that the wind typically blows in your yard. If the wind typically comes from the north and you want to secure your tree with two stakes, stake the tree on the north and south sides of the tree.

Use tall stakes for visibility. If you are planting trees in a high-traffic area, use tall tree stakes or mark the stakes with bright paint or colored tape to reduce tripping hazards.