Hi Linda,
On the subject of staked trees, I have on numerous occasions seen stakes by trees that are now redundant of purpose.
The stakes are still in the ground, looking very aged, have started to lean and there are no ties attached to the stake or the tree/shrub to offer support as they are now “mature”.
Would such a scenario deem the once-staked tree now not a staked tree or is a stake simply positioned by a tree deemed a staked tree regardless?
Kind regards,
Lou, once of the Sunshine Coast, Australia but now back in Dubai
Dear Lou,
Young trees are sometimes staked when they are planted to provide extra support, protection, or help staying anchored. The stakes should be removed by the next growing season, along with any wire placed around the branches. (I am not a professional gardener; I Googled “staked trees” to find this information.)
Course management has the option to adopt a Local Rule that requires mandatory relief from staked trees, and it might want do so to protect new plantings. Both the Local Rule and the stakes should be withdrawn when appropriate.
If you have encountered a mature tree with what appears to be abandoned stakes surrounding it and no ties from the stake to the tree, I believe you can safely assume that this is not a staked tree from which you would be required to take relief under a Local Rule. Mature trees have no need for stakes. It would seem that the stakes you came across are simply obstructions. If they are firmly entrenched, they are immovable; if they are easy to pull out, they are movable. Should you have serious doubt about the status of the stakes, I would recommend a quick call to the clubhouse.
You might want to politely draw the attention of the course manager to these stakes that no longer serve any useful purpose. They should be removed.
Linda
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