Tree staple

A method for stabilizing a newly planted tree or shrub comprising the steps of:

• forming a staple including:
• a central cross member having a first end and a second end;
• a first prong having a top end and a bottom end, said top end of said first prong joined to said central cross member first end;
• a second prong having a top end and a bottom end, said top end of said second prong joined to said central cross member second end;
• at least one intermediate prong having a top end and a bottom end, the top end of said intermediate prong joined to an interior portion of said cross member;
• and
• all of said prongs being parallel to one another and perpendicular to said central cross member, and all of said prongs lying in the same plane;
• digging a hole in the ground large enough to accept the root ball of said tree or shrub;
• placing the root ball into the hole, and positioning the tree or shrub in a desired orientation;
• filling the space between the root ball and the ground with fill dirt;
• positioning at least one said staple such that the two longer perpendicular projecting prongs attached at each end of the central cross member impinges the undisturbed soil, while the middle perpendicular projecting prongs are directly above the root ball and oriented to impinge as much of the root ball as possible
• driving the longer prongs of the staple into the ground, and the shorter prongs into the root ball until the central cross member, and all other projections from the staple are flush with the ground level.