Removing Metal Tree Stakes | A Quick Trick for Pulling up Metal Stakes After Use
Have you ever struggled removing metal tree stakes once your trees have reached maturity? Okay maybe adolescence is a better term! At any rate, once your trees have stabilized and have survived a full growing season, the time is right for removing metal tree stakes. Been there, done that, it’s not fun. After driving the stakes deep into the soil with a sledge hammer, its all but impossible to remove them by hand. Unless of course your alias is “The Hulk” or “Thor” or perhaps you spend 4 hours a day at the gym. If none of these scenarios apply, not to worry. I came across this handy video entitled “How to Remove Metal Fence Posts or Tree Stakes.” The technique is so stupid simple it’s almost genius. Why didn’t I think of this myself?
Removing Metal Tree Stakes in 5 Easy Steps
Step 1- Remove Stake-Safe Covers: I am going to assume for a moment that you have been safety conscious all along and covered your metal tree stakes with our Stake-Safe Safety Covers. If so, now is a good time to remove them and set them aside for the next tree you plant. If you didn’t use our covers now is a good time to learn more about how effective they are at protecting kids and pets.
Step 2 – Remove Guy Wires: You’ll want to remove any guy wires before you start prying on the metal tree stakes. This is a safety precaution. Just in case something goes awry in your plan, you don’t want to harm the tree, or yourself for that matter.
Step 3 – Support Board: Place the center of a support board about 2 feet away from the metal stake. The ideal support would be a thick piece of plywood about 18” x 18”. You need an adequate bearing surface so that the short end of your prying mechanism won’t simply sink into the soft soil. If you don’t have any plywood you can use a 2×8 or even a small log. Anything to spread out the load!
Step 4 – Install a Clamp: Use a large C-Clamp to attach two 2×4’s to the metal tree stake. Place the clamp about 2 feet from the end of the 8-foot-long 2×4’s. This will give you about a 3 to 1 ratio, which should be ample. Now when you exert about 100 LBs of lift on the 2×4 leaver, you will actually be pulling up on the metal stakes with a 300 LB force.
Step 5 – Heave Ho: Head on down to the long end of the lever and lift. What I really meant to say is “Lift with your Knees Not Your Back.” With any luck your metal post is now free enough to remove it by hand. If not, simply lower the clamp and 2×4’s and repeat steps 4 & 5 as needed.
