We just bought this house the first week in January and the Japanese maple tree out front still has the stake and rope on it. So far the tree is just passed my hight of 5'7, but I don't know how old.

Is it safe to take that stake off? Or should I wait? These guys are a bit tricky to grow in my area.

The way the tree is staked makes me think it probably fell over. Take the stake against the trunk and the green tape off. If it feels shaky in the ground, add two more stakes similar to the one that's left. Spread them out so they form a triangle around the tree. Move all the ropes tied in the branches down to the main trunk and pad the places where the rope rubs with old bits of carpet or something else soft. If the tree top moves a little, it will help strengthen the trunk but you don't want the root ball wiggling around.

Removing stakes is important but the tree needs to be well rooted before you remove them. That is usually 2 or 3 years in my area.

Ok thank you!

Our HOA gardeners have not removed the stake on some young trees here in our common area, and we have lived here for 8 years already. Just got to observe how it grows. We often get a lot of strong winds here, so it takes longer for the young trees to grow steadier, plus our recent drought conditions was very taxing to the trees.. They used thicker posts and rubber-like material to help stake the plant so there is some yield when the wind is blowing hard, using two thick posts on each side.

Late winter into spring is usually a bad time to remove stakes, in any case. For most climates, this is when the soil is softest and wettest, the two characteristics of soil that allow roots to slip and make trees (even old trees) more vulnerable to tipping. But if you are going to remove and replace the stake(s) (or retie them), that's okay.

This (see photo) could be alarming. Is there a wire or string around the trunk base? If the tree has already grown around it, then everything will be fine: just leave it be. If you can see the constricting string, try to remove it with some pliers.

Wow that's all extremely helpful. Thank you all!