Growers use canes to stake young trees with thin stems to give them the time to thicken and establish.
These plants will require a support for until the tree can comfortably support its canopy (head of leaves).
As growth is variable and the head can grow quicker than the stem, it is advisable to leave the cane on indefinitely. The ties just require loosening as the stem thickens.
If the cane is removed then the head may need to be pruned and kept to a size the tree can manage, as if it grows too heavy it can cause the tree to lean.
The tree is also more prone to lean towards the light and to develop a natural curve if not kept to a cane.
On larger specimens a cane is sometimes used to keep the stem upright as the canopy of leaves has grown so large and would put the stem under strain and cause the tree to lean. In extreme cases the stem could break.
It is not something to be concerned about in terms of the health of the tree as in the wild trees often lean happily, and often towards the light or with the wind.
Rather it has been done for stability, as the plant is not anchored in the ground but is in a nursery pot, and also for aesthetic reasons as a straight stem tree is often preferred visually but also practically in homes and offices.
