Support hardware
Support hardware consists of stakes, crossbraces and ties. Maintaining this hardware is an often overlooked part of taking care of a tree, and yet ignoring the hardware can result in a damaged or misshapen tree. Don’t let your hard work be sabotaged by useless or damaging hardware! In many cases a hammer and nails is all you need.

Support hardware should do just that – lightly support the tree to allow it to move in the wind. Trees need their exercise, too! A tightly bound tree will not get any stronger, because it won’t spend any of its growing energy in sending out anchoring roots when there is no need. The energy will go directly to shoot growth. That means the top may look good and healthy but below ground, there are not enough roots to support the tree once the stakes come off.

Stakes should be straight up and down, and not wiggle when you shake them. A wiggly stake may be broken underground and should be replaced. Stakes are most important on the side where the wind usually comes from. The tree should pull against the stakes rather than lean on them for support. Wind direction does change in a storm, making a three-stake system your best bet.

Stakes don’t help hold up a large tree; they are more likely to hurt it. Take them off.

Ouch! Watch for stake tips that rub and wound branches and cut them down accordingly. Be aware that you may one day need to tie the tree higher so only cut off what is causing a problem.

Crossbraces are vital, providing strength and stability for the stakes.
They also act as spacers – protecting the whole structure from collapsing inward and wounding the tree. Replace any broken crossbraces with an appropriately sized piece of wood or metal. We use recycled plywood, cut by volunteers.

Move any crossbrace that is wounding the tree.

Ties should be tight enough to hold the tree but loose enough to allow movement. Remember, a tree allowed to move becomes stronger than one that is held immobile.

Adjust ties as the tree grows, either to bolster support or to prevent wounding.

Attach them so that you can easily adjust them later.

The best ties are flat and wide – don’t use rope, wire or string. These cut into the tree, causing serious injury, and often death of the tree or limb portion above the injury. Plastic can trap moisture and cause rot. Rubber or cloth are good materials.

Buy new stakes from FUF or from Ewing Irrigation at 415-695-9530. Borrow a stake pounder from us or the Tool Lending Center at 415-467-8665; purchase one from the Urban Farmer at 415-661-2204.

Protective Hardware
This may be different from support hardware. It may be more elaborate and sturdy, depending on whether you are trying to protect the tree from vandals on foot or from cars. Contact the DPW Department of Street Use and Mapping to find out about permits for anything that you build up around the tree basin. 415/554-5810.

Avoid encasing the tree from head to toe in screening as a protective measure.

If you build a fence, put it around the perimeter of the tree basin so the tree has room to grow.

Sometimes small metal poles at the curbside are enough to deter cars.

Be sure the protective hardware doesn’t eventually become part of the tree! Consider how to remove it before you even put it in.

See our resources page for sources of protective hardware.