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

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

g'day heathcliff,

as they say nothing is impossible hey? just is it probable?

you would need a very strong anchor point on the opposite side of the
lean and then a block and tackle so you can keep adding pressure to
maybe make the tree come back straight. the top will of course now
grow straight now that the other tree has gone. doing this with
younger trees is a whole lot more doable.

if it where me i'd write this one off and relegate it to mulch or the
fire place and plant another.



snipped
With peace and brightest of blessings,

len

--
"Be Content With What You Have And
May You Find Serenity and Tranquillity In
A World That You May Not Understand."

http://www.gardenlen.com