Field Note: Simple Technique to Shave Down Tree Stakes

Written By Cameron Zuber, Staff Research Associate, UCCE Merced

Have some tree stakes that do not fit into your post-pounder or lost the point making it hard to drive into the soil? Try using a shovel to shave down the stake first.

Photo of original stake (left), shaved down to fit post-pounder (left middle), and shaved down to point (right middle) using just a shovel (right).

Using a shovel is an easy and safer alternative to axes orknives as the cutting motion and blade edge is away from the user. It is alsoreadily available and something people normally are willing to be a bit roughwith when using. A proper technique when using a shovel to shave down a stake is:

1. Place the stake on flat ground.
2. Stand on the end you are not shaving down andplace your back foot on the stake. Have your other foot planted firmly on theground to help you balance when shaving the stake.
3. Place your hands comfortably far apart alongthe handle. One hand should be towards the top of the handle to provide moreforce when shaving. The other should be place as close to the shovel’s blade tohelp direct the shovel tip to properly hit the stake.
4. Angle the shovel’s blade at an approximate 20°to 30° angle from the stake. If the stake is rectangular, direct the shovel’s tipat the corners of the stake not the flat edges.
5. Starting away from the cut end of the stake,push the shovel forward working with the grain of the wood. Continue shavingdown, working towards the cut end of the stake.
6. If trying to make into a point, angle theshovel’s blade at an approximate 45° angle as you get closer to the cut end ofthe stake. Otherwise keep the same 20° to 30° angle as you work towards the cutend.
7. Repeat on all corners of rectangular stakes oralong the circumference of rounded the stake until you reach the desired shapeand size.

Photos of using shovel to shave down stake. Left photo shows proper placement and use of shovel with stake on flat ground, back foot used to hold down stake, front foot firmly placed on ground, and arms spread comfortably to control shovel when driven into stake. Right photos show shovel being driven into corner of rectangular stake, angled at a shallow angle, working towards cut end, and taking off a little wood with each cut of the shovel.

When using this technique, remove smaller pieces of wood astrying to remove too much wood may split the wood so severely it can no longerbe used. Worse would be causing slight damage to the remaining wood weakeningthe overall structure of the stake. This could cause easier breakage afterinstalling in the field. This wastes the effort of shaving and installing thestake, so take your time.

Most shovels will work when using this technique, but if you dohave a choice try selecting a shovel with most of these characteristics:

• Rounded, blunt tip: Roundtips are more forgiving when directing the shovel blade into the stake. Pointedshovels can work, but you need to take extra care to make sure the pointed tiphits the desired spot on the stake. If missed, the shovel tends to get divertedaway from the stake due to the angled tip of a pointed shovel.
• Heavy blade: A heavierblade will help generate more force when driving the shovel into the stake,cutting down on the energy you need to exert.
• Straight shovel:Having a blade more in-line with the handle makes it easier to drive the bladeinto the stake and forward towards the cut end. If the blade and handle are ata sever angle, you may need to adjust how you drive the shovel into the stake.
• Sharp tip: Sharpeningyour shovel’s tip is generally good to do semi-frequently anyway. Sharper tipsallow for easier digging and cutting roots, as well as, shaving stakes.

For more information on how to properly stake and tie almondtrees, see David Doll’s section in this presentation about developing and managinga young almond orchard (http://www.almonds.com/sites/default/files/content/attachments/Tu-308%20300pm%20SESSION%20Slides%20V2.pdf). His section is located towards the end ofthis presentation.

Special thanks to Brent Holtz(Farm Advisor with UC Cooperative Extension in San Joaquin County) who showedme this technique and for assisting with capturing the photos used in thisarticle.

The Almond Doctor Field Note is a series of posts that will coverobservations made from the field by staff research assistants of the Universityof California Cooperative Extension office of Merced County. While Field Noteposts may reference completed or on-going research, its intent is share notableobservations from the field, not to summarize research findings or describecurrent recommended farming practices.