Gardening

onetexan

(13,885 posts) Thu Mar 19, 2020, 06:08 PM Mar 2020

Seeking advice on planting crape myrtle & retama trees saplings

Hi folks,
I have 6 Arapaho Red Flowering Crape Myrtle (Lagerstroemi) Tree saplings, 5 retama saplings (Texas native xeriscaping shrub/tree) & 3 redbud saplings i need to put into the ground this weekend. I've planted trees before, but usually the larger size. This is the first time i'm planting trees from saplings. I've read up on the spacing (at least 12-15 ft apart, 5 ft. from the fence), but need to know whether i should brace the saplings with a stake. I've read some don't recommend tying them to a stake but i'm afraid they may be buffeted by strong winds and break.

Also, i've read saplings don't grow as fast - about 6 - 12 inches rather than up to 2 ft/year. If you've planted saplings i'd be happy to read your advice. I'm in zone 8B.

Thanks in advance,
OneTexan

2 replies

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Seeking advice on planting crape myrtle & retama trees saplings (Original Post) onetexan Mar 2020 OP

I generally never stake trees Major Nikon Mar 2020 #1

whoa that's interesting that the wind encourages stronger trunks & roots onetexan Mar 2020 #2

Major Nikon

(36,899 posts)

1. I generally never stake trees

Reply to onetexan (Original post)

Thu Mar 19, 2020, 06:14 PM

Mar 2020

The wind encourages stronger trunks and roots. The only time I will stake a tree is if it is growing at an angle I don’t like and even then only for the shortest duration necessary.

onetexan

(13,885 posts)

2. whoa that's interesting that the wind encourages stronger trunks & roots

Reply to Major Nikon (Reply #1)

Thu Mar 19, 2020, 06:20 PM

Mar 2020

The seller i ordered from doesn't recommend staking them either. I'll see how well they do w/out stakes. Thanks!

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