Why staking a new tree can do more harm than good

IF ONE of your New Year’s resolutions is to be kinder to the environment, you might start by planting a tree – it is one of the simplest ways you can make a small but meaningful difference to your local area. However, if you are a newbie looking up how to do this, you will soon encounter one of horticulture’s most contentious issues: should you add a stake to help support your new sapling, or leave it au naturel?

Wander around almost any area with newly planted trees and you will see how widely the former is used, from tripods of…