What is the point in staking trees and plants? Staking up trees and plants is very important. Staking a tree up is where you have a stick or metal rod. You then place the stick or rod in the ground near the tree and tie it to the rod this keeps the plant from growing sideways and helps it by directing it upward in a straight position. This is done when the tree is growing sideways at a bad level and will not only look bad but the health of the tree will be affected by its leaning. For smaller plants it matter what type of plant it is. For plants like grapes or black berries these plant need a stake for them to grow up on. The will not only direct their growth pattern but will make them happier and they will have less breakage. However with plant like shrubs the stake is used to direct the growth and keep it growing it sideways. So what is a proper stake to use? It doesn’t matter what kind of rod you use. A stick will do a sufficient job. But if you want to buy a rod it can be purchased at a local home improvement store.