Heathcliff wrote:

I have a red oak tree that has grown up leaning, and lopsided, due to
competition from a nearby tree. The nearby tree has now been removed.
I expect the lopsidedness to go away on its own, but can I correct the
trunk lean through staking? How long would it take? The tree is about
12 years old and about 20 feet tall, about 5" caliper. I'm pretty sure
its flexible enough to pull over, but will the new orientation "take" ?
Any info or references appreciated.

-- Heathcliff


I'm sure you could pull it over to make it straight. You might need a
sturdy cable and a winch of some sort to pull it over.
I have corrected smaller trees and it seems to take a couple of years
before it stays where you want it. I think it has to make a couple of
layers of new wood to get it to hold the new position. If you can pull
it over so that it flexes the other way, it may end up in good position
after one growing season. Let the pressure off once in a while to check
the progress.

Steve