[Nathaniel Bouman]

I apparently didn’t thin enough and a number of trees toppled over this season. They are 10 years old on b.118. My main concern is with the larger trees that fell over. They are 20′-25′ tall. I have high-carbon, 10′ steel stakes to tie them to (all trees were previously unsupported). I’m having trouble figuring out what material to do the securing with. Most of the ready made options are not strong enough or are too thin and will cut into the tree. Anyone have a protocol for this kind of situation or a material that works well?

[Charlie]

I use a strong webbing that is 3/4 inch wide. I cut it to a length (1 1/2 feet), catch a limb or trunk in a sling and tie a small rope around the ends of the webbing. That allows the web to be loose around the tree except on the back side. Then I can slide the webbing up or down the tree maybe once or twice per year so not to damage the wood.