Abstract:
A system for stabilizing a plant comprises a plurality of stakes and a plurality of horizontal stabilization members, wherein the stakes are inserted through a root ball of the plant into undisturbed soil, and wherein the horizontal stabilization members resist lateral movement of at least one of the stakes.

Description:
RELATED APPLICATION 
     This application is a divisional of U.S. patent application Ser. No. 12/134,895, filed Jun. 6, 2008, and entitled “LANDSCAPE STABILIZATION SYSTEMS AND METHODS,” which is hereby incorporated by reference in its entirety. 
    
    
     TECHNICAL FIELD 
     The present disclosure is related to landscaping in general and, more specifically, is related to stabilization structures and methods for trees, shrubs, and the like. 
     BACKGROUND 
     Landscapers often work on projects that include planting trees, shrubs, or other items. Trees are typically received with their roots in a pot or wrapped in burlap, and the roots will be in a compact cluster called a root ball. The root ball is placed into a hole and covered with soil. Newly installed tall plants typically benefit from the use of various stabilization techniques so that they grow straight up, even in spite of periodic strong winds and other stimuli. After one to two years, the roots of most plants will have spread and matured to the point that there is no need for external stabilization. 
     The most popular tree stabilization technique is the use of T-posts that are driven into the ground and stick up out of the ground by about three feet. Each T-post has a guy wire that is attached to the tree and operates to stabilize the tree. However, this above-ground staking solution has several disadvantages. One of the major disadvantages of above-ground staking methods is the effect on the physiology of trees—the methods actually inhibit tree growth. Above-ground staking acts as a crutch by preventing the trunk from swaying in the wind. Such swaying is believed to stimulate the tree to grow its roots to an appropriate size so that the tree can eventually provide its own stabilization. Above-ground staking prevents this natural adaptation. Further, the people who maintain these traditional methods are often careless and fail to remove the staking structures after they are not needed. A tree that is left indefinitely with a guy wire on its trunk will try to defend itself by compartmentalizing (covering the wire with bark and growing around the wire). A guy wire left on a tree will strangulate the tree and reduce its health. 
     Further, above-ground staking is unsightly and hazardous. For instance, in an open space environment such as a park, there will be children running around. Oftentimes, trees are planted near playgrounds and other attractions, and the height of a T-post is usually set to about the height of a child&#39;s head or face, making collisions with T-posts quite dangerous. 
     An alternative to above-ground staking is staples, such as those marketed under the brand names TREESTAPLE™ and TOMAHAWK™. Staples are one attempt at a solution to stabilize the tree by anchoring it from the root mass. The root mass is basically stapled from the exterior soil with these devices which are made out of metal. Like office-type staples, tree staples have two piercing prongs. Tree staples have one short prong and one long prong. The short prong is inserted into the root ball of a tree, and the long prong is set outside of the root ball and is driven into the soil. Thus, many applications require at least two staples to provide multi-directional stability to a newly planted tree. 
     Staples are bulky, expensive, and made of metal. One of the main disadvantages of the stapling method is the longevity of the staples. Staples are not removed, and their metal construction allows them to persist for centuries if left undisturbed. The metal is there and stays throughout the life of the tree, which causes safety concerns such as tripping hazards, especially when the staples become exposed by, e.g., soil erosion. 
     Another disadvantage is that some soils are very hard and prevent full insertion of staples. However, the length of staples cannot typically be adjusted by landscapers during tree installation. Thus, an installer may have to choose between using another technique and allowing some amount of above-ground exposure for the staple. 
     BRIEF SUMMARY 
     Various embodiments of the present invention are directed to systems and methods for providing stability to landscaping items. In one example, two or more discrete rods are each driven through the root ball and into the underlying soil to stabilize the root ball in place. Horizontal support members are then applied to the rods and are fastened to the rods using nuts. 
     In some embodiments, one or more parts of the support structure are made of biodegradable materials, such as wood, bamboo, biodegradable plastic, and/or the like. Thus, in addition to providing stability, the structure can also naturally decompose after the structure is not needed. 
     Once the rods are driven in to the root ball and ground, they can be cut so that the overall structure can be covered with soil and/or mulch. The end results in some instances is a support structure that is not in view, is not a hazard for people walking or playing, and is not likely to persist for long after it is not needed. 
     The foregoing has outlined rather broadly the features and technical advantages of the present invention in order that the detailed description of the invention that follows may be better understood. Additional features and advantages of the invention will be described hereinafter which form the subject of the claims of the invention. It should be appreciated by those skilled in the art that the conception and specific embodiment disclosed may be readily utilized as a basis for modifying or designing other structures for carrying out the same purposes of the present invention. It should also be realized by those skilled in the art that such equivalent constructions do not depart from the spirit and scope of the invention as set forth in the appended claims. The novel features which are believed to be characteristic of the invention, both as to its organization and method of operation, together with further objects and advantages will be better understood from the following description when considered in connection with the accompanying figures. It is to be expressly understood, however, that each of the figures is provided for the purpose of illustration and description only and is not intended as a definition of the limits of the present invention. 
    
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
       For a more complete understanding of the present invention, reference is now made to the following descriptions taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings, in which: 
         FIG. 1  is an illustration of an exemplary system adapted according to one embodiment of the invention; 
         FIGS. 2A-G  show views of exemplary nuts, adapted according to one embodiment of the invention; 
         FIG. 3  is an illustration of an exemplary system installed according to one embodiment of the invention; 
         FIGS. 4A-C  are illustrations of exemplary configurations adapted according to three embodiments of the invention; and 
         FIG. 5  is an illustration of an exemplary method adapted according to one embodiment of the invention. 
     
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION 
       FIG. 1  is an illustration of exemplary system  110  adapted according to one embodiment of the invention. System  110  includes slats  100  and stakes  101 . 
     Stakes  101  can be made of any of a variety of materials, and in some embodiments are made from biodegradable materials, such as wood. In fact, stakes  101  can be made of any material with enough longitudinal rigidity to allow them to be forced through a tree&#39;s root ball and into the underlying ground. Each stake includes tapered end  102  and flat end  103 . Flat end  103  can, for example, be hit with a hammer in order to drive tapered end  102  through a root ball and into the ground. System  110  can also include shield  104 , which is placed over flat end  103  during hammering in order to protect flat end  103  from direct hammer blows. Shield  104  can then be removed after a stake  101  is driven to its desired depth. Stakes  101  may also be referred to as providing vertical support. However, it is not required that stakes  101  be arranged exactly vertically, as substantially vertically is within the scope of embodiments. 
     Slats  100  can also be made out of a variety of materials, and especially biodegradable materials, such as wood, bamboo, biodegradable plastic (hereinafter referred to as “bioplastic,” an example of which is the corn-based plastic available under the name MIREL™), and the like. Typically, slats  100  are long, flat strips of material with thicknesses much smaller than the length and width dimensions. The dimensions of each slat  100  can be tailored for its intended use. For example, when used with a root ball that is three feet in diameter, a slat  100  may have a two-foot length, a three or four inch width, and a ¼-inch thickness. In another example, a five-gallon shrub or tree may suffice with slat  100  being ⅛-inch thick, two or three inches wide, and around a foot in length. However, embodiments of the invention are not limited to any dimension for stakes  101  or slats  100 , as dimensions may differ for different applications. Slats  100  may also be referred to as providing horizontal support. However, it is not required that slats  100  be arranged exactly horizontally, as substantially horizontally, or otherwise conforming to a top surface of a root ball, is within the scope of embodiments. 
     In various embodiments, stakes  101  are driven through a root ball of a newly-planted tree, while slats  100  are placed parallel to the soil to provide lateral stability to stakes  101 . Slats  100  are placed so that the tops of stakes  101  fit through the holes in slots  100 . Slots  100  are then placed on top of the root ball in a substantially horizontal configuration, as shown in more detail in  FIGS. 3 and 4 . 
       FIGS. 2A-C  show views of nut  200 , adapted according to one embodiment of the invention. After stakes (e.g., stakes  101  of  FIG. 1 ) have been driven, and after slats (e.g., slats  100  of  FIG. 1 ) have been placed onto the stakes, nuts, such as nut  200 , are then fastened to the protruding portions of the stakes in order to hold the slats in place. 
     Nut  200  can be made of any of a variety of materials, and especially from bioplastics. Nut  200 , in this example, includes grippable surfaces  201  and  202  (in this case, wings) to allow a user to hand tighten nut  200  during installation of the landscaping system. Hand tightening, as opposed to tightening with power tools, is favorable in many embodiments, since excess torque on nut  200  can often cause a stake to partially pull out. 
     Nut  200  in this example also includes slightly tapered threads  203 , allowing fastening to be accomplished by turning nut  200  so that it moves down the stake and contacts the slat. In many embodiments, the stakes do not have threads. Instead, nut  200  includes threads that press into the outer surface of a stake, thereby threading the stake during the fastening process. 
       FIGS. 2D  and E show views of nut  210 , adapted according to one embodiment of the invention. Nut  210  has a lower profile than that of nut  200 , thereby making nut  210  easier to conceal under a thin layer of soil.  FIGS. 2F  and G show views of nut  220 , adapted according to one embodiment of the invention. Nut  220  does not make a full circle, as shown in  FIG. 2F . In one example, nut  220  can be placed onto a stake at any of various heights of the stake by forcing missing section  221  laterally onto the stake. 
     Nuts  200 ,  210 , and  220  of  FIGS. 2A-G  are exemplary, as nuts  200 ,  210 , and  220  are not limited to any particular dimension, shape, or material, as different applications may use different types of nuts. For example, different shapes for threads  203  may be used, as well as different gripping surfaces  201 ,  202 . In fact, in some embodiments, threads  203  may be omitted altogether for another method of fastening, and grippable surfaces  201 ,  202  may be omitted in some cases when only power tool fastening is envisioned. 
       FIG. 3  is an illustration of exemplary system  300  installed according to one embodiment of the invention. In  FIG. 3 , tree  310  includes root ball  301 , which is disposed in hole  302 . Placing a root ball in a hole in a common scenario in landscaping when planting trees, shrubs, and other plants. 
     In the presently illustrated embodiment, after hole  302  has been dug, tree  310  is installed. Stakes  304  and  305  are then driven through root ball  301  into native, undisturbed soil  303  so that root ball  301  is held in place by stakes  304  and  305 . Typically, stakes  304  and  305  are driven in as far as possible while leaving some amount of stakes  304  and  305  protruding so that slats can be fastened thereto with nuts. Some soils are very hard, thereby allowing only a small amount of penetration into undisturbed soil  303 . However, as long as at least one of stakes  304 ,  305  penetrates at least some amount into undisturbed soil  303 , tree  310  will experience increased stability versus having no stabilization system at all. 
     After stakes  304 ,  305  are driven into place, slats (not shown) are installed on the protruding ends of stakes  304 ,  305 . Depending on how much of stakes  304 ,  305  protrude from the ground, it may be desirable to cut off a length of one or more of stakes  304 ,  305 . For example, if stake  304  protrudes out of root ball by a foot, and if only three inches are needed to accommodate a nut, then a user may cut off nine inches of stake  304 . This may be especially convenient when stakes  304 ,  305  are constructed of a material, such as wood, which is easily cut with common tools. 
     Next, the nuts (not shown) are fastened onto the ends of stakes  304 ,  305  by, for example, hand tightening. After the nuts are tightened, a user may cut off more of stakes  304 ,  305 , if desired. The slats provide stability for stakes  304 ,  305  by holding stakes  304 ,  305  in place, preventing lateral movement. The nuts provide stability for the slats by preventing vertical movement that would otherwise remove slats from stakes  304 ,  305 . 
     The system shown in  FIGS. 1-3  can be analogized to a system for stabilizing a ball (root ball  301 ) in a socket (hole  302 ). Generally speaking, if there is a ball in a socket and pins are run through that ball and into the socket, that ball will not typically roll around in the socket. Embodiments of the invention offer additional stability in the form of the slats. The slats provide a way of securing the pins (stakes  304 ,  305 ) against ball and socket movement. Generally, the more pins and slots that are used, the more stability that is imparted to the tree (or other plant). 
     Stakes, such as stakes  304  and  305 , can be arranged in a variety of ways. For instance, while  FIG. 3  shows two stakes ( 304  and  305 ) other embodiments can include more than two stakes. In one embodiment, three stakes are driven into the root ball. Then, three slats are used to stabilize the stakes and are arranged in a triangle, as shown in  FIG. 4A , which is a view from above. In the triangle arrangement of  FIG. 4A , each slat is coupled to two stakes, thereby forming one side of the triangle. Further, the root ball (e.g., root ball  301  of  FIG. 3 ) is held in place by three stakes so that is stabilized against 360 degrees of lateral movement. 
       FIG. 4B  is an illustration of exemplary configuration  420  adapted according to another embodiment of the invention. Configuration  420  has four stakes (not shown in this view), two slats  421  and  422 , and four nuts  423 - 426 . Slats  421 ,  422  are arranged in parallel lines but are not coupled to each other.  FIG. 4C  is an illustration of exemplary configuration  430  adapted according to yet another embodiment of the invention. Configuration  430  is similar to configuration  420  in that it has four stakes and four nuts  423 - 426 , but configuration  430  adds slats  427  and  428 . The addition of two slats to configuration  430  provides greater stability than in configuration  420 . However, additional materials will typically add to cost, so that some embodiments may allow a user to balance cost against desired stability so that an optimum relationship between price and performance can be achieved for a given project. Other arrangements are possible and are within the scope of embodiments. 
     Various embodiments of the invention include methods for installing and/or stabilizing landscaping items, such as trees, shrubs, and the like.  FIG. 5  is an illustration of exemplary method  500  adapted according to one embodiment of the invention. Method  500  may be performed, for example, by a human user with a system, such as that shown in  FIGS. 1-3 . 
     In step  501 , a landscaping item (e.g., tree, shrub, etc.) is planted in a hole. The soil surrounding the hole, in this example, is undisturbed, native soil. 
     In step  502 , stakes are driven through the root ball of the landscaping item so that each stake penetrates both the root ball and the undisturbed soil. Step  502  may be performed, for example, by pounding flat ends of the stakes with a sledgehammer or mallet until a desired penetration is achieved. 
     In step  503 , slats are applied to the stakes. In some embodiments, the slats may be modified, such as by being cut to a desired length or having one or more holes added to accommodate stakes. In fact, in many embodiments, the arrangement of the stakes determines the length and hole placement of the slats, and the slats are modified after the stakes are driven in order to accommodate the arrangement of the stakes. 
     In step  504 , some excess protruding portions of one or more of the stakes are cut off. In step  505 , nuts are fastened onto the ends of the stakes to secure the slats. In step  506 , the ends of the stakes are cut again. For example, a user may desire to cut the ends of the stakes to be flush with the tops of the nuts. 
     In step  507 , soil is deposited over the root ball of the landscaping item to fill in the volume around the sides of the root ball. Then, soil and/or mulch is used to cover over the slats, nuts, and stakes. In some embodiments, the stabilization system that includes the stakes, slats, and nuts may be completely covered by soil and/mulch after installation. 
     Methods according to various embodiments of the invention are not necessarily limited to method  500 . Other embodiments may add, delete, rearrange, or modify various steps. For instance, it is possible that one or more of steps  504  and  506  may be omitted, especially if the stakes are driven deeply into the soil. Further, various embodiments may omit the slats, thereby using only the stakes (and possibly, nuts) to stabilize the landscaping item. 
     Embodiments of the invention may provide advantages over prior art tree stabilization systems. For example, some embodiments may include stakes, slats, and nuts that are manufactured entirely of biodegradable materials. Thus, in most soils after several years or decades, the biodegradable materials will be decomposed. Decomposition helps to minimize the possibility that one or more parts of the structure may erupt from the soil over time or to interfere with other landscaping activities in the future. This is in contrast to prior art staples that are made of metal and can last for hundreds or thousands of years in the soil. 
     Further, some biodegradable materials, such as wood and bamboo, can be treated with formulas to expedite biodegradation and/or fertilize the ground at the same time. Wood and bamboo are porous materials and can be exposed to various fertilizers, hormones, vitamins, minerals and/or the like to benefit the soil as an added feature to the structural stability of the apparatus. 
     Moreover, various embodiments of the invention can have surface footprints that are entirely within the footprint of the root ball. Such quality follows from the fact that the stakes are driven directly into the root ball, and the slats are deployed on the root ball or on a small layer of soil on top of the root ball. A small footprint helps to minimize intrusion of the structure into surrounding areas, where, e.g., children play or other items are planted. This is in contrast to prior art above-ground staking systems that can extend a meter or more in each direction from a tree and create hazards. This is also in contrast to prior art staples that that each have one prong within a root ball and another prong outside of the root ball. 
     In addition to a smaller footprint various embodiments can provide more stability than current staple solutions. For instance, a given stake penetrates the root ball and also penetrates the soil, thereby acting as a pin through a ball and a socket. This is contrast to the staples that do not actually penetrate through the root ball. Instead, prior art staples use a short prong within the root ball and a long prong in the soil, leaving some freedom of movement for the root ball. 
     Although the present invention and its advantages have been described in detail, it should be understood that various changes, substitutions and alterations can be made herein without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention as defined by the appended claims. Moreover, the scope of the present application is not intended to be limited to the particular embodiments of the process, machine, manufacture, composition of matter, means, methods and steps described in the specification. As one of ordinary skill in the art will readily appreciate from the disclosure of the present invention, processes, machines, manufacture, compositions of matter, means, methods, or steps, presently existing or later to be developed that perform substantially the same function or achieve substantially the same result as the corresponding embodiments described herein may be utilized according to the present invention. Accordingly, the appended claims are intended to include within their scope such processes, machines, manufacture, compositions of matter, means, methods, or steps.