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Staking a Weeping Willow

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From: John Ropa City: Galena, IL
I have had to stake a 3 year old weeping willow because of the wind. If I unstake it, it falls to the ground. If I continue to stake it, will it eventually get strong enough to stand on its own?
	Extension Message From: Jay Hayek Extension Specialist, Forestry Department of Natural Resources and Environmental Sciences jhayek@illinois.edu
Greeting John, Most tree planting specialists and tree physiologists agree that staking trees is generally not needed except in areas of high pedestrian traffic, windy areas, or sandy soils. Even when warranted, stakes and guy wires should be removed after one year to promote tree stability, growth, and trunk taper. Two years may be needed in extreme cases.
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