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Should I remove my stakes?

joe.shimminjoe.shimmin Posts: 214
in Tools and techniques
Hi, back in October last year we planted 40 6’ Portuguese laurels. They were bare root and I quickly saw that the wind was rocking them so in Nov/Dec I staked and tied them against the prevailing wind. Since then they have been cut back and have grown a bit but I suspect most of the growth has been underground. 
Is now the time to take them off their stakes or will the autumn and winter wind give them grief, in which case, unstable them next summer? 
Thanks, Joe

Posts

  • joe.shimminjoe.shimmin Posts: 214

  • joe.shimminjoe.shimmin Posts: 214
    Sorry, they weren’t bare root, they were root balls.
  • DovefromaboveDovefromabove Posts: 88,147
    I’d leave the stakes in for this winter at least 

    I’d also clear all the grass and weeds away from the root area and give them a mulch with some compost or rotted bark or similar. 

    Gardening in Central Norfolk on improved gritty moraine over chalk ... free-draining.





  • joe.shimminjoe.shimmin Posts: 214
    Thanks. Will do. There is a wood chip much down at the moment but I have let the grass grow up a bit so i’ll Clear that.
  • ObelixxObelixx Posts: 30,090
    I agree.  Leave the supports for this next winter and clear away all that competition for nutrients and water.
    Vendée - 20kms from Atlantic coast.
    "The price good men (and women) pay for indifference to public affairs is to be ruled by evil men (and women)."
    Plato
  • FairygirlFairygirl Posts: 55,117
    I'll third that advice. It's only making it more difficult for them to establish and thrive if they have a lot of competition.
    I'd take a good foot of grass away from the front, so that you have a clear border. You can then put a decent mulch down, after they've been well watered.
    It's a place where beautiful isn't enough of a word....



    I live in west central Scotland - not where that photo is...
  • joe.shimminjoe.shimmin Posts: 214
    Ok, good stuff, thanks for the help.
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