If the stake is rocking, it won't hold the tree in place and could actually create a pendulum effect, adding to the rocking. I'd suggest taking the loose stakes out, putting them back in at a new position angled as @BobTheGardener explains, and set them opposing as @Liriodendron says. Try and position the stakes along the prevailing wind, if you have a more common direction for it, so it's not slamming the tree into the stake.
The picture at bottom right of this article shows what I meant by two stakes - I think your stake just goes into the rootball of the apple tree, and that's why it's moving with the tree. The double staking puts a stake either side of the rootball, with a tie from each stake to the tree trunk. I used this method in my daughter's garden when planting a crab apple in a windy spot, and it was very secure.
If you don't have any long tree ties you can use the legs of an old pair of tights... Edited to add: or an old bicycle inner tube
Since 2019 I've lived in east Clare, in the west of Ireland.
Okay thanks for the help everyone and liriod for the link the only think I would say is that this stake was put in after the tree was planted.
On a separate note, is it only me here that worries about everything garden related. I also worry if I think I’ve done something wrong and I’m really hard on myself. Is there a way around this? Sorry for the bizarre question!
No, it's definitely not just you doing the worrying! But there's usually not just one right way to do something, as you can tell when you ask your questions and get several different answers. We all learn the more we do... and as long as you have a garden you love, you're not doing a lot wrong.
Since 2019 I've lived in east Clare, in the west of Ireland.
Re damaging the rootball: the article says to put the stakes in 30cm from the trunk, which would avoid the roots, hopefully. In any case, the roots would be damaged more by the tree rocking in the wind than by a stake squishing the odd one. Once the tree is stable it'll produce more roots.
Since 2019 I've lived in east Clare, in the west of Ireland.
Thank you Liriod you have no idea how much more relaxed I feel now! May I just ask, obviously I’ll take out the old stake, should I put some garden soil on top to level it off?
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The picture at bottom right of this article shows what I meant by two stakes - I think your stake just goes into the rootball of the apple tree, and that's why it's moving with the tree. The double staking puts a stake either side of the rootball, with a tie from each stake to the tree trunk. I used this method in my daughter's garden when planting a crab apple in a windy spot, and it was very secure.
If you don't have any long tree ties you can use the legs of an old pair of tights...
Edited to add: or an old bicycle inner tube
On a separate note, is it only me here that worries about everything garden related. I also worry if I think I’ve done something wrong and I’m really hard on myself. Is there a way around this? Sorry for the bizarre question!