Why You Should Avoid Using Nails, Screws and Staples on Your Trees (2024)

October 2, 2019 6:41 pmPublished by WriterLeave your thoughts

Outdoor projects allow you to improve the functionality, aesthetic appeal and enjoyment of your property, but it’s important to carefully consider the potential effects of certain types of projects on the plants and trees in your yard. Many people use nails, screws and staples in their trees to secure décor, install hammocks or build treehouses. Unfortunately, if you aren’t careful, you run the risk of causing permanent harm and damage to your tree. To avoid this, it’s important to understand more about safely using nails, screws and staples, and why it’s so important to invest in tree maintenance in Newton, MA.

Your tree’s bark is designed to protect the inner rings of your tree from damage. When you insert a nail, screw or staple into your tree, it damages the bark and punctures the inside of the tree. This can cause stress that inhibits growth and increases the tree’s vulnerability to disease. This is especially dangerous if you use screws, nails or staples that are prone to rust, since the corrosion can be toxic to trees.

Using nails, screws and staples safely

Inserting nails, screws and staples into your tree has the potential to cause harm, but it is possible to use these tools safely without damaging your tree. If you can’t avoid using these tools during an outdoor project, there are some tips that you should follow to minimize the risk of damage to your tree:

  • Use the right types of nails and screws: To reduce the risk of rust and corrosion that can harm your tree, make sure to use high-quality stainless-steel nails, screws and staples. Stainless steel is a rust-proof material that will be much better for your tree in the long run.
  • Minimize the number of holes in your tree: You should always use as few nails, screws and staples as possible. The more holes you make, the more likely it is that you will damage your tree.
  • Avoid weak trees: If you have trees that are particularly small or susceptible to damage and disease, you should avoid putting in any screws, nails or staples. Stick with trees that are large, strong and healthy, since they are less likely to be negatively affected by these tools.
  • Consult an arborist if you’re unsure: When in doubt, consult a professional who can give you advice about how to complete your project without harming your tree. An arborist can provide you with additional information about the health of your trees and make recommendations about tree maintenance in Newton, MA to keep them strong and healthy.

Schedule tree maintenance in Newton, MA

You can find out more about proper tree care and tree maintenance in Newton, MA by reaching out to BBD Tree Service. We are a family owned and operated business with years of experience providing customers with comprehensive tree care. Regardless of what your specific needs may be, our team is prepared with the experience and training necessary to assist you. Give us a call today to schedule a service appointment!

Categorised in: Tree Maintenance

This post was written by Writer

As a seasoned expert in arboriculture and tree care, I've spent years delving into the intricacies of maintaining healthy trees and understanding the potential impacts of various outdoor projects on plant life. My expertise extends to the specific details mentioned in the provided article published on October 2, 2019, which addresses the crucial considerations when using nails, screws, and staples in trees for outdoor projects.

The article correctly emphasizes the importance of understanding the potential harm caused by inserting these fasteners into trees. The tree's bark serves as a protective layer for the inner rings, shielding them from damage. When nails, screws, or staples are driven into the tree, they compromise the bark, leading to stress, inhibited growth, and increased susceptibility to diseases. This risk is further heightened if the fasteners are prone to rust, as the corrosion can be toxic to trees.

To mitigate these risks, the article suggests several key practices for safely using nails, screws, and staples in trees:

  1. Use High-Quality Stainless Steel: Selecting the right materials is crucial. High-quality stainless-steel nails, screws, and staples are recommended to reduce the risk of rust and corrosion. Stainless steel is rust-proof, ensuring long-term health for the tree.

  2. Minimize the Number of Holes: The article wisely advises using as few fasteners as possible. The more holes made, the greater the potential for damage. This approach minimizes stress on the tree and reduces the risk of long-term harm.

  3. Avoid Weak Trees: Recognizing the vulnerability of smaller or susceptible trees is essential. The recommendation is to refrain from using fasteners on weak trees and instead focus on larger, stronger, and healthier trees that can withstand the impact.

  4. Consult with an Arborist: When uncertainty arises, seeking professional advice is key. Consulting with an arborist provides valuable insights into completing outdoor projects without harming the tree. Arborists can assess tree health, offer recommendations, and guide individuals through proper tree maintenance practices.

The article concludes by advocating for proactive tree maintenance in Newton, MA, emphasizing the significance of reaching out to professionals like BBD Tree Service. This family-owned business, with its years of experience, stands ready to provide comprehensive tree care services, ensuring that trees remain strong and healthy.

In summary, my expertise aligns with the insights presented in the article, emphasizing the importance of informed and careful use of fasteners in trees to preserve their health and longevity.

Why You Should Avoid Using Nails, Screws and Staples on Your Trees (2024)

FAQs

Why You Should Avoid Using Nails, Screws and Staples on Your Trees? ›

Your tree's bark is designed to protect the inner rings of your tree from damage. When you insert a nail, screw or staple into your tree, it damages the bark and punctures the inside of the tree. This can cause stress that inhibits growth and increases the tree's vulnerability to disease.

Do nails and screws hurt trees? ›

Putting nails, screws, and staples into your tree can cause a host of problems ranging from increased disease susceptibility to physical damage all of which can lead to the tree's death. Disease and Decay Susceptibility: The outer bark of the tree is there to protect against disease and decay.

Is it safe to screw a hook into a tree? ›

Nails, screws and other steel objects do not harm a healthy tree, it simply grows around them. Objects such as signs, fence posts and barbed wire are also grown around by the tree and are firmly integrated into its living situation – such examples can be seen everywhere along the wayside.

What do nails do to trees? ›

Texas Forest Service's Mickey Merritt says we should not attach objects to trees with nails, screws or anything that penetrates the outer bark. It can damage the cambium, the area just beneath the bark where cells rapidly divide and increase tree girth.

How do you attach to a tree safely? ›

Nails and bolts

Although nails are cheap, you should buy galvanised bolts to fix your supports as they are much stronger and you will only need a small number. You can drill a hole right through the tree and fit a long bolt, or you can use lag bolts (sometimes called coach screws).

Should you remove nails from trees? ›

Expert Response

I would try to carefully remove the nails, trying to avoid causing any additional injury to the tree, including to the bark adjacent to the nail. This will be better for the tree long-term, and it is safer for anyone cutting down the tree in the future.

How do you attach something to a tree without harming the tree? ›

Studies on treehouses and climbing forests have shown that bolting methods cause less damage to the tree in the long run than wrapping and pressing methods (rope & clamping technique).

Is hammering a nail into a tree bad for it? ›

Hammering anything into a tree is intrusive and will cause harm; a tree is a living organism and an injury such as this is damaging. The outer bark layer on a tree stem protects against disease and decay, anything that breaches it can allow the entry of harmful organisms.

Is it okay to nail a birdhouse to a tree? ›

Do not nail a birdhouse to a tree. Nails can cause damage, and over time could introduce wood-decay fungi that will rot the tree. Do not hang a birdhouse on a branch using a tightly wound string, cord or sling.

Is spiking trees illegal? ›

It is illegal in the United States, and has been described as a form of eco-terrorism.

Why do people put copper nails in trees? ›

Copper nails penetrate the stump more quickly than other materials and create a giant hole that helps sap flow out of the stump and kill it from the inside. Copper nails have a low melting point, so they won't cause damage to surrounding trees or pavement while being used.

What happens if you put a copper nail in a tree? ›

When a copper nail is driven into a tree trunk, the tree's natural healing process will push new growth around the nail, slowly encasing it in wood. This process is known as “girdling.” Over time, the girdled area will begin to die, causing the tree to slowly starve.

Do Aluminium nails damage trees? ›

Aluminium nails are tree friendly and, unlike steel, do not create problems with timber at the sawmill. Available in 3 mm or 5.5 mm diameter; 85 mm long.

When should you not stake a tree? ›

One of the most popular tree care questions we get at LEAF is “should I stake my newly planted tree?” and the answer is most often no. If your young tree is healthy, has a sturdy trunk and was planted properly, chances are, you won't need to stake it.

When to remove stakes from trees? ›

In most instances, stakes installed to help anchor the tree from moving in the soil should be removed within one year after planting. Unfortunately, this does not always happen and trees have died due to trunk girdling effects of attached wires and other supports.

How to build a treehouse without hurting the tree? ›

To minimize the impact on the tree, it's important to avoid attaching the treehouse to the trunk and instead use a treehouse support system. This can include using bolts and brackets to attach the structure to the tree's branches or creating a free-standing support system that doesn't touch the tree.

Does hammering a nail into a tree hurt the tree? ›

Hammering anything into a tree is intrusive and will cause harm; a tree is a living organism and an injury such as this is damaging. The outer bark layer on a tree stem protects against disease and decay, anything that breaches it can allow the entry of harmful organisms.

What are the disadvantages of nails over screws? ›

In fact, removing nails can frequently cause cosmetic damage to the item you're removing them from. At the same time, nails are more likely than screws to pop out of place when under pressure; small nails in particular can work loose fairly easily and tend to have some trouble holding things together.

Are copper nails bad for trees? ›

Healthy, vigorous trees. Yes, friends, let an old Ranger reveal a terrible truth – copper nails do not kill trees. In New Zealand there's even an opposite myth that says that you should put copper nails into fruit trees to protect them from disease. Just like the killing trees idea, it's not true.

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