Hello, In many cases staking young trees is not necessary at all unless the plant cannot stand upright on its own, the soil is unstable (subject to flooding) or the plant is in windy location. If your tree was recently planted and the conditions above apply to you, I would recommend staking the tree for no longer than a year. This give the root system time to grow and anchor the tree into the ground. Otherwise staking only weakens the tree. If the tree has been in the same location for a number of years I would not stake it. As the tree grows it will straighten out. Raakel
Is it possible that my pot is too small and therefore making my tree unstable? How big should the pot be? thx
Hi, I would suggest you use a glazed earthen ware pot, or terracotta, something with a bit of weight to it, with a diameter of 12 to 18 inches & 9 to 16 inches deep, make sure it has good drainage holes and you crock it well as your J.M needs good drainage,also use any propriety compost, with plenty of added grit. I'd tie it in to pot with strip burlap, so not to damage the trunk, keep that on for a year, till your tree has settled in to its new home. do not over water it, keep the compost just moist,hope this helps. Ashizuru.
There are two reasons for staking. One is to protect the tree, and you have received two answers for this. The second reason is to force the tree to take a form different from what it would naturally take. For example many people stake dissectums to force them to grow a little taller and thus enhance their natural weeping habit. Gomero
