GUYING TREES

Narrative and Photographs by
Curtis E. Swift, Ph.D.
Colorado State University Extension
Tri River Area

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Improper guying techniques can severely damage trees

Wire and hose should not be used to guy trees.

The use of rope to guy trees is not recommended.

The purpose of guying a tree is to hold the root ball in the ground until sufficient roots
are established to hold the root ball in place.

If you need to guy the tree to hold it upright, you have planted a lousy tree.
Such a tree should be removed, disposed of and replaced with a quality tree.

The following demonstrates two methods to properly guy trees

The nylon strap and T-post/ wooden post technique

• Use wide straps to avoid trunk damage.
• Install the guys as close to the ground as possible. Within 18 inches of the ground is recommended.
• The tree should be guyed in such a manner that the trunk has several inches of freedom of movement. Trunk movement increases root development, trunk diameter and trunk taper. Trees that need to be held up with guys are poor quality trees and should not have been purchased in the first place
• If two stakes are used they need to be placed parallel with the dominant direction of the wind.
• Straps and T-posts/wooden posts should be left in place no longer than one year.
• T-posts left in the ground longer than one year may damage roots when pulled out of the ground. Cutting the T-posts off at ground level will avoid root damage. The use of round posts are not as damaging to roots during the removal process.

The Dowel Method

Drawing courtesy of Dr. Ed Gilman, University of Florida.

• Two or three wood dowels can be driven through the root ball into the underlying soil.

Harris, R.W. 1992. Arboriculture: Integrated Management of Landscape Trees, Shrubs and Vines; Second Edition. Regents/Prentice Hall.