[header] How to stake an apple tree [title] Purchase a 3 foot (0.91 m) 2x2 inch (5.08x5.08 cm) piece of lumber. [step] You can purchase the wood for your stake at a hardware or home and gardening store. Once you get your stake, use a knife or a hand sander to taper the end of one side of the lumber. 
Alternately, purchase a piece of wood that is already tapered at one end. [substeps] You can also use a bamboo cane as your stake for saplings.