Tree stabilizing assembly

An assembly includes a plurality of elongated and rectilinear support posts having opposed end portions. The assembly further includes a plurality of U-shaped fastening members removably positional through a primary support member. The primary support member is provided with first and second pairs of arcuate indentations formed along the front face of the primary support member. A bracket including attachable first and second sections is medially situated between the support posts. The first section has opposed end portions conjoined to the front face of the primary support member, and the second section has opposed end portions conjoined to the first section end portions wherein the second section protrudes forwardly of the first section. The first and second pair of indentations are juxtaposed side-by-side and are laterally opposed from the end portions of the first and second sections such that the support posts can abut the bracket during operating conditions.

CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

Not Applicable.

Not Applicable.

REFERENCE TO A MICROFICHE APPENDIX

Not Applicable.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

1. Technical Field

This invention relates to plant support apparatuses and, more particularly, to a tree stabilizing assembly for supporting recently installed trees.

2. Prior Art

Successful planting of woody perennials such as shrubs, bushes and trees (hereinafter collectively referred to as woody perennials) is more complex and demanding than planting annuals. Woody perennials are long-lived plants that are set into their permanent locations. Often they are planted for the fruit or flowers they bear. Some fruiting varieties, even when planted properly, will not produce a sizable crop of fruit for several years until the plant has become well established. A careless planting might unfortunately retard that crop by an additional year or two. In addition, woody perennials and their roots are generally larger when planted than those of annuals, and thus require larger planting holes. It is obvious that properly placing a large shrub in a large hole is more demanding than planting a small seedling.

There are three main steps to planting a woody perennial. First, a suitably wide and deep planting hole must be dug. Second, the soil that is to fill the hole should be amended to aerate it and enrich it with the proper nutrients required by the plant. Third, the roots of the plant should be placed at the proper depth in the hole and then covered with the amended soil. This soil is then firmed down to eliminate any air pockets, after which the plant is then watered in. At this point, the position of the crown of the plant [the place on the plant where the stem and roots meet] is critical. Ideally, the crown should be at the soil level within the hole, and the top of the hole should be level with the surrounding soil. Clearly, the successful planting of many woody perennials presents numerous difficulties and may impart significant physical strain to the gardener.

Tree and plant support devices have been in use for years. Typically, a user utilizes a plurality of stakes inserted into the ground surrounding the plant with a corresponding plurality of strings attached between the stakes and the plant for supporting the plant from various positions. Such a method, however, is inadequate for woody perennials due to their size, weight, and height.

Accordingly, a need remains for a stable tree support assembly that is easy to install and that does not take up a significant amount of room about the plant, yet is capable of providing support to a woody perennial during all types of weather conditions. The present invention satisfies such a need by providing a tree support assembly that stabilizes recently planted trees and other woody perennials to ensure such a tree grows in an upright plane without leaning. Such an assembly would be easy to attach and install and would enhance the growth and appearance of the tree.

BRIEF SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

In view of the foregoing background, it is therefore an object of the present invention to provide an apparatus for supporting a tree or the like at a vertical position during installation procedures. These and other objects, features, and advantages of the invention are provided by an assembly including a plurality of elongated and rectilinear support posts having opposed end portions securely nested beneath a ground surface and terminating thereabove at a predetermined height respectively. The support posts are coextensive, laterally spaced apart and maintain a fixed spatial relationship wherein the support posts are registered parallel to the vertical plane.

The assembly further includes a plurality of removably positional and U-shaped fastening members. A primary support member having opposed end portions is securable to top ones of the support post end portions via the fastening members respectively such that the support posts become intercalated between the fastening members and the primary support member. The primary support member has a horizontally registered longitudinal length terminating outwardly of the support posts such that the support posts confront a front face of the primary support member while a rear face of the primary support member is spaced from the support posts.

The primary support member is provided with first and second pairs of arcuate indentations formed along the front face of the primary support member and fully extending between top and bottom surfaces of the primary support member. The primary support member includes a monolithically formed central portion rearwardly flared from the opposed end portions of the primary support member.

A bracket including attachable first and second sections is medially situated between the support posts. Such first and second sections have non-linear and elongated shapes. The first section has opposed end portions conjoined to the front face of the primary support member and the second section has opposed end portions conjoined to the first section end portions wherein the second section protrudes forwardly of the first section. The first and second pair of indentations are coextensive and juxtaposed side-by-side and are laterally opposed from the end portions of the first and second sections such that the support posts can abut the bracket during operating conditions.

The first and second sections preferably include monolithically formed central portions beveled outwardly for defining a passageway therebetween and through which at least one portion of the tree can be positioned during operating conditions. The first and second sections are preferably equidistantly offset from a longitudinal axis spanning orthogonal to the support posts.

The central portion may be rearwardly registered with the bracket in such a manner that the front face of the primary support member travels along a concave path for defining a buffer region and accommodating various sized trees. Such a central portion preferably has a longitudinal length equal to longitudinal lengths of the end portions of the primary support member.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

The apparatus of this invention is referred to generally inFIGS. 1–2by the reference numeral10and is intended to provide a tree stabilizing assembly. It should be understood that the assembly10may be used to stabilize many different types of woody perennials, and should not be limited in use to only trees.

Initially referring toFIG. 1, the assembly10includes a plurality of elongated and rectilinear support posts20having opposed end portions21securely nested beneath a ground surface and terminating thereabove at a predetermined height respectively. Such posts20may be anchored beneath a ground surface using cement or other similar material, to provide stability, as is obvious to one having ordinary skill in the art. The support posts20are coextensive, laterally spaced apart and maintain a fixed spatial relationship wherein the support posts20are registered parallel to the vertical plane. Of course, the posts20may be spaced adjacent to the tree as may be needed for saplings and other young woody perennials, as is obvious to one having ordinary skill in the art.

Such posts20are preferably formed from wood due to its durability and low cost, but may also be formed from other materials, such as metal, aluminum, concrete, and plastic for example, as well known in the industry. The assembly10further includes a plurality of removably positional and U-shaped fastening members30.

Referring toFIGS. 1 and 2, a primary support member40having opposed end portions41is securable to top ones21A of the support post end portions21via the fastening members30respectively such that the support posts20become intercalated between the fastening members30and the primary support member40. The primary support member40has a horizontally registered longitudinal length terminating outwardly of the support posts20such that the support posts20confront a front face42of the primary support member40while a rear face43of the primary support member40is spaced from the support posts20.

The primary support member40is provided with first44and second45pairs of arcuate indentations formed along the front face42of the primary support member40and fully extending between top46and bottom47surfaces of the primary support member40. Such indentations are essential to maintaining stability of the support posts20and preferably match the shape of the support posts20, allowing a user to selectively position the posts20where desired and where they may provide the greatest stability. Such indentations also allow a user to position the posts20in a ground surface location most conducive to digging so that power or utility lines are not disturbed. Such indentations may also be used to receive trees thereagainst in the case where several trees in close proximity need to be supported.

The primary support member40preferably includes a monolithically formed central portion48rearwardly flared from the opposed end portions41of the primary support member40. The plurality of U-shaped fastening members30are removably positional through the primary support member40and centrally registered with selected ones of the first44and second45pair of indentations in such a manner that the support posts20can be adjustably secured to the primary support member40. Such U-shaped fasteners30are critical to maintaining the primary support member40securely fastened to the support posts20.

Referring toFIG. 2, a bracket50including attachable first51and second52sections is medially situated between the support posts20. Such first51and second52sections have non-linear and elongated shapes. The first section51has opposed end portions53conjoined to the front face42of the primary support member40and the second section52has opposed end portions54conjoined to the first section end portions53wherein the second section52protrudes forwardly of the first section51. The first44and second45pair of indentations are coextensive and juxtaposed side-by-side and are laterally opposed from the end portions53,54of the first51and second52sections such that the support posts20can abut the bracket50during operating conditions.

The bracket51and plurality of U-shaped fastening members30are preferably formed form galvanized metal or stainless steel, to resist corrosion in an outdoor environment, as well known in the industry. Of course, straps, ties, hooks, nails, and other conventional fastening mechanisms as well known in the industry may also be used, as is obvious to one having ordinary skill in the art.

Still referring toFIG. 2, the first51and second sections52preferably include monolithically formed central portions55A,55beveled outwardly for defining a passageway therebetween and through which at least one portion of the tree can be positioned during operating conditions. The first51and second52sections may be equidistantly offset from a longitudinal axis (not shown) spanning orthogonal to the support posts20. The central portion55may be rearwardly registered with the bracket50in such a manner that the front face42of the primary support member40travels along a concave path for defining a buffer region and accommodating various sized trees. Such a central portion55preferably has a longitudinal length equal to longitudinal lengths of the end portions41of the primary support member40.

The assembly10could be used by homeowners and professional landscapers contracted to care for residential, commercial, and institutional property. Such an assembly10saves a property owner time and money by preserving and enhancing the growth of recently planted trees, or trees that may have been partially uprooted by inclement weather conditions, such as hurricanes and tornadoes, and are in need of stability while recovering.