Taproot system allows tree planting without stakes
by RIKKI CASON Reporter

Bob Goltz has invented a system that offers a new way to keep trees standing upright - without using stakes or wires.

With the motto, 'Don't get caught with your plants down,' his new Upright System has a goal: to keep plants standing straight and to hold a tree up in 40-mph winds by anchoring the root ball.

"It creates instant taproots," Goltz said. "It anchors immediately."

According to Goltz, the invention is convenient and safe and saves money for people who are looking to plant trees.

"It's quicker and simpler to accomplish than stakes," Goltz said. "It eliminates safety hazards, and you don't have to remove them."

Goltz explains that another benefit of his new system is the overall health of the tree. When trees don't get to oscillate in the wind, they have smaller cells and their bark is thinner, but with the legs of his system, the trees can oscillate, and the cells become stronger and the bark thicker, improving their health.

"It's simple to use," Goltz said, "and inexpensive."

Goltz conceived his invention when he worked at a nursery in Boston.

He said a forklift would bring in a tree, and it would sit on the ground supported by cinder blocks. This would damage the root ball.

Goltz then contacted one of his friends, who spent 50 hours designing the leg concept, followed by an architect who rendered a complete drawing. Finally, Goltz brought in a structural engineer. The team put in more than 150 hours combined of design time.

The legs are made of fiberglas-reinforced polymer, which, according to Goltz, is lightweight and durable.

He hopes to one day make the system biodegradable and be able to feed the root system.

There are four sizes of legs for different-size trees: 6, 12, 18 and 24 inches. Three is the standard number of legs that a 2- to 2½-caliper tree would need.

"Three is the average number of legs needed," Goltz said. "But that depends on the head of the tree and the size of the root ball. Some may need more."

Goltz has planted more than 2,000 trees with his system in the past two summers. The trees have been planted throughout the United States.

"They are better for the tree," Goltz said. "It's also time-saving."

On average, the Upright System can save people approximately $25 per tree than if they were to buy the traditional stakes and wires. The average total cost of one tree with wires and stakes would cost $51.13, whereas one tree with the Upright System would cost $25.19.

A typical 10-tree planting would cost $412.84 with stakes and wires and $202.67 with Goltz's system. Twenty trees would cost $8,256 for stakes and wires compared to $4,053 with the Upright System, and finally, for 50 trees, customers would pay $20,642 for stakes and wires and $10,133 for the Upright System.

The Upright System will work with 95 percent of trees that are planted.

"Some trees have no root systems," Goltz said. "Like a coffee tree, it's like a pole."

To find out more information about Goltz and his Upright System, visit the Web site www.uprightsystem. biz.