In
the case of young trees little difficulty will be experienced, as good
straight stakes can be easily got. As a rule, one stake is quite enough
for a tree, and that should be driven in as close as possible to the
trunk without injuring it or the roots. To the stake the tree should be
secured with wire or stout tar string, using thin cushions of felt,
leather, or old hose-pipe to keep the wire or string from cutting into
the bark. Allow a little room between the stem and stake for growth. Two
or three ties are usually sufficient, and these should be examined and
loosened once or twice a year until the stakes can be dispensed with.
The habit of putting in stakes in such a way that they cross the trunk,
and that when the wind blows there is sufficient play for the stem and
the stake to rub against each other, is a bad one, the chafing often
causing serious wounds. In exposed situations, or when there is danger
of the tree rocking about and becoming loose at the collar, put in three
stakes in the form of a triangle, the stem fitting in the space left
between the three stakes at the top, while the bottoms of the stakes
extend some 2 or 3 feet from the tree. For this purpose wires fastened
to stakes driven in the ground are useful, and neater than stout stakes.
When wires are used, however, take care to provide a good soft pad
between the tree and the wire. For trees with large heads, or those not
well furnished with roots, this way of staking will be found very
useful. When inserting stakes they should be properly sharpened for the
sake of straight driving. The staking of trees which have the lower
parts of their trunks straight and their leaders crooked differs from
other staking, as the stakes should not be driven into the ground, but
tied firmly to the trunk below the bend, the leader being then drawn to
the stake. In all cases, however, where staking is done the stakes
should be removed as soon as the trees are able to do without them. A
stake is not beautiful. There is always the chance of the tying material
being left a little too long without examination, and therefore it cuts
into the bark. Ties also harbour insects.

CHAPTER XLI

SOME HARDY FLOWERING TREES AND SHRUBS

The following are tables of hardy flowering trees and shrubs, and
comprise only species and varieties suitable, unless otherwise stated,
for almost all parts of the British Isles. An asterisk (*) denotes those
of the first importance. This