- - AGRICULTURE CORE CURRICULUM - -

(CLF6000) Advanced Core Cluster: ORNAMENTAL HORTICULTURE

 (CLF6500) Unit Title: SELECTION, PLANTING AND CARE OF ORNAMENTAL PLANTS

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 (CLF6504) Topic: STAKING AND TYING PLANTS  Time              Year(s) 
                                               1 hour             3 / 4 
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         Topic Objectives: Upon completion of this lesson, the student
                            will be able to:

         Learning Outcome #:

           (I-5) - Demonstrate how to stake and tie ornamentals.

         Special Materials and Equipment: 

         References: Editors of Sunset Books and Sunset Magazine. (1988). 
                       WESTERN GARDEN BOOK (5th ed.). Menlo Park,
                       CA: Lane Publishing Co.
                     Ingels, Jack E. (1985). ORNAMENTAL HORTICULTURE: 
                       PRINCIPLES AND PRACTICES. Albany, NY: Delmar
                       Publishers.
                     Pirone, Pascal P. (1972). TREE MAINTENANCE (4th ed.). 
                       New York: Oxford University Press.

         Evaluation: Quiz and instructor observation.

TOPIC PRESENTATION: STAKING AND TYING ORNAMENTALS

A. Staking plants is sometimes important to their future growth and 
   survival.

   1. Reasons for staking trees:
   
       a. protect the trunk from damage

       b. anchor the root system

       c. support the trunk in an upright position

   2. Herbaceous plants may need staking to prevent flowers from toppling 
       tall stems.
        
B. Landscape methods to support trees:

   1. For protection, place three low, easily-visible, stakes around the
       outside of the rootball.

   2. For anchorage, place two or three low stakes around the outside of
       the rootball. Tie the trunk to the stakes using flexible ties.

   3. If the tree cannot stand upright on its own or in a wind, stake for
       support.

       a. Use two stakes that extend just beyond the lowest point where the
           tree can be held without it bending.

       b. Tie the trunk at this one point to the stakes. Use a separate, 
           flexible tie for each stake.

       c. Ties should be secured so the trunk cannot rub against the stake 
           in a wind, but should allow for some movement.

   4. Single staking is still practiced by some members of the horticulture
       industry, but this practice can be damaging to trees. (See CLF6557,
       Plant Support Systems, for more details.)
  
C. Staking of Nursery Stock

   1. Staking of nursery stock is usually done when potting.

   2. DO NOT tie the plant too tight to the stake. Give it room to grow.

   3. Trees and vines are sometimes staked, but it is often not necessary.
       Specialty plants are staked as needed.

D. Equipment Used in Supporting Plants:

   1. Wooden stakes - They come in many sizes, are easy to work with, and 
       are low in cost.

   2. Flexible ties with a broad surface - They may be made of elastic
       webbing, tire cording with wire ties, or polyethylene tape.

   3. Old garden hose - This can be used to protect the trunk by running a
       wire or rope through a short section.

   4. Nursery tape - A plastic tape used to wrap the trunk to the stake.

   5. Twist tie - Used with vines and small plants.


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         ACTIVITY: 
 
         1. Review the different materials used in supporting of 
             plants.

         2. Have students stake some trees. (Sometimes the 
             school's groundskeepers can and will supply all the
             needed material.)

         3  Have students make a scale model, posters, or ID board of
             different types of plant support systems or tools.
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1/6/91 MT/clh 
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