[faithfulfrank]

Very interesting thread.
I have much to learn about Florida landscaping and gardening......Going from zone 4 to zone 9 is a big step.
I'm glad things worked out here. Up north here, I've always staked my trees at least for the first year, then removed them so the tree can get stronger and not be dependent on the stakes, which are best meant for a temporary solution as the tree establishes it's roots.

I keep a box of cut up old hose pieces and stake with aluminum wire and 2x2's...at least 3 per tree. I use the pieces of hose to insure the tree bark does not get damaged from chaffing.

I hope some good lessons were learned here. I feel everything I do kind of has my name on it.......you just "do it right" or "make it right". Bad press costs a lot more then a few stakes and a few minutes time. "Call backs" are costly and should be avoided if possible by going the extra mile and doing it right the first time. I'm not being critical here, but when you are a "professional", you incur stricter judgement.

I guess one can not assume anything. I would have assumed that staking is just part of planting a new tree.....like tying your shoes is part of putting them on.....it's the way you insure they stay where you put them. Staking is certainly easier then trying to re-set a leaning tree........IMHO.

Frank D.