Tree tie check in Exeter
Professional tree tie check services in Exeter and surrounding areas. Local, reliable handyman - no job too small.
Price Guide
£60
Typical Duration
1 hr
Location
Exeter, Devon
Tree stakes and ties checked and adjusted. Prevents damage from tight ties or unstable stakes. Quick maintenance that protects young trees as they grow.
The Problem Nobody Remembers
You plant a tree, stake it properly, tie it securely. Then forget about it. A year later the tie that was loose is now cutting into bark because the tree's grown. Or the stake's worked loose and the tree's leaning. Or the tie's perished and broken and the tree's wobbling in every wind.
💡 Pro tip: Tree ties and stakes are temporary support while roots establish. Most trees should be unstaked after 2-3 years - leaving them too long actually weakens the trunk.
What Can Go Wrong
| Problem | Cause | Result |
|---|---|---|
| Tight ties | Tree grew, tie didn't | Bark damage, stunted growth |
| Loose stakes | Ground settlement, wind | Tree leans or blows over |
| Perished ties | UV damage, age | No support when needed |
| Rubbing | Wind movement, poor positioning | Bark worn away |
What You Get
🔧 The Service
| Stage | What Happens |
|---|---|
| Check ties | Look for tightness, damage, perishing |
| Check stakes | Test stability, check for rot |
| Adjust or replace | Loosen tight ties, replace damaged ones |
| Assess support | Advise if tree still needs staking |
| Tree health | Note any damage or problems |
📦 You're Left With
- Properly adjusted tree supports
- No risk of tie damage
- Stable stakes
- Advice on when to remove support entirely
Pricing Guide
| Trees | Estimated Time | You'll Pay |
|---|---|---|
| 1-5 young trees | 1 hr | £60 |
| 5-10 trees | 1.5 hrs | £85 |
Based on £60 minimum (first hour) + £50/hr after. I bring replacement ties.
Perfect For...
✅ Annual check - spring or autumn maintenance
✅ Fast-growing trees - need more frequent adjustment
✅ After storms - check nothing's worked loose
✅ Newly moved house - inherited trees, not sure of their history
Why Choose Us for Tree tie check in Exeter?
Ties loosened if too tight
Stakes checked for stability
Ties replaced if damaged
Trees checked for rubbing or damage
What to Expect
Step 1: Assess All Trees
Check every staked tree - ties, stakes, tree health. Note what needs adjusting, replacing, or removing.
Step 2: Adjust & Replace
Loosen tight ties, replace perished ones, re-secure loose stakes. If trees are ready, we'll remove supports entirely.
Step 3: Advise
Quick chat about what I've found. If there are health issues beyond just ties, you'll know. Recommendations for ongoing care.
🔧 DIY Tips
This is an easy DIY job once you know what to look for:
🔧 What you'll need
- Replacement tree ties (rubber ones are best)
- Hammer to test/re-secure stakes
- Scissors or knife to remove old ties
- Common sense
🔍 What to check
- Tie tightness: Should be snug but not strangling. Room to slide two fingers under.
- Tie condition: Perished, cracked, or UV-damaged ties need replacing
- Stake stability: Push it - should be solid. Wiggle means it needs re-securing.
- Rubbing points: Where tie or stake touches bark - should have buffer
- Tree stability: Gently push tree - if it stands firm, might not need stake anymore
🔧 How to adjust
- Too tight: Loosen tie completely, reposition higher on trunk
- Perished: Cut off old tie, fit new one slightly loose
- Loose stake: Hammer back in, or replace with longer stake if soil's soft
- Ready to remove: Test tree stability, remove stake if it stands firm
⚠️ Common mistakes
- Setting ties too tight (allow for growth!)
- Using wire or string (cuts into bark)
- Leaving stakes too long (weakens trunk development)
- Forgetting to check for a year (damage happens fast on growing trees)
💡 Pro trick: Figure-of-eight ties are best - creates space between stake and trunk, allows movement while preventing rubbing. Standard rubber ties are designed for this.
Rather leave it to a pro? No problem - that's what I'm here for. Give me a call.
Good to Know
🌳 When to remove stakes: Most trees establish in 2-3 years. Test by removing tie and gently pushing tree - if it stays upright and bounces back, it's ready to go solo.
Multiple trees? If you've planted several trees, worth checking them all at once in spring. Fast-growing ones might need another check in autumn.
Storm damage: After big winds, worth a quick check even if it's not due. Stakes can work loose or ties can snap when trees are being battered about.
Frequently Asked Questions
Why do tree ties need checking?
Trees grow - what was loose when planted can become too tight within a year, cutting into bark. Or ties perish and snap. Or stakes work loose. Regular checking prevents damage and keeps young trees growing straight.
How often should tree ties be checked?
Twice a year for young trees - spring and autumn. Fast-growing trees might need it more often. Once trees are established (3-5 years), you can remove stakes and ties entirely.
What happens if ties are too tight?
They strangle the trunk, cutting off nutrient flow. Creates permanent damage - ring-barking that can kill the tree or create weak points. Easy to prevent, impossible to fix once it's happened.
Do I need to provide replacement ties?
I bring spare ties with me - standard rubber tree ties work for most situations. If your trees need something specific, I'll advise and can pick it up, or you can provide it.
Can you remove stakes if trees are established?
Absolutely. Part of checking is assessing whether trees still need support. If they're sturdy enough to stand alone, we'll remove stakes - better for the tree's development.
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