Staking Young Trees

It seems that most people, when staking young trees, think it necessary to bind them up so that they can't move. They drive tall sturdy stakes into the ground on either side of the sapling, then run cables from them to circle the trunk as snuggly as possible and quite high up. The poor little tree is trussed up like a Christmas goose and the planter walks away thinking he has done his part to protect the tree and help it grow in the right direction. As the winds blow the tree does not move more that it's branches and leaves and so does not build up 'callus', does not gain strength and in time becomes nearly strangled by it's 'protective' bands.
When in a year or two the bands are removed the young tree stands tall and straight with dents of 'love' pressed into it's sides.
But when the first strong winds blow and for the first time the tree has to resist them on it's own, it lacks the strength to withstand the pressure and it bows to it until it breaks.
It has also been found that trees that are staked grow less in diameter and the roots don't grow as quickly. It appears that they actually need the stress of dealing with windy conditions to grow their best.

Most healty young trees don't need to be staked at all. If you feel you must stake your tree how much better to stake it with the bands low and loose. When the spring and summer breezes blow, it sways back and forth developing 'callus', becoming stronger and stronger. It has just enough guidance to grow in the right direction and just enough support to withstand the stronger winds, but must struggle some with the winds and become strong enough to stand tall and strong. When the bands are removed the young tree no longer needs them and can stand up to the difficult winds of winter's stormy blast. It's bark is not marred by the grip of too tight bands and it stands tall in all the beauty the Lord of Creation intended for it. It's well on it's way to provide shade, food, shelter and other benefits to those who come to it for the blessings it can provide, living not for it's self but for serving others.

I will come back later and tell you how I would apply this lesson to the raising of children or the nurturing of new Christians, but first I would like to hear from you.
If you would, please post comments letting me know how you would apply this lesson.
Thank you