How To Straighten A Leaning Tree: 3 Techniques To Help You Correct The Problem
When you’re a landscaper and arborist, the things you see are not always as they seem. Sometimes, what appears to be an intentional natural leaning of a tree is actually a subtle sign that it’s out of balance. When this happens, some trees will lean in one direction or House Plant Gardening because of their natural growth habits. If your tree leans for any reason at all, it’s likely because of one common problem; it has grown unbalanced. Luckily, there are many techniques and tricks that you can use to correct its dangerous lean and revitalize its growth pattern—without having to cut it down or risk otherwise harming the tree in any way. Read on to discover three ways to help fix leaning trees!
Forked Trees
If a tree has grown with a fork in its trunk, it’s a sure sign that you have a serious leaning problem on your hands. If left untreated, this type of leaning can be notoriously difficult to correct because these forks can put a lot of pressure on the roots, causing them to begin snapping. Faced with this dilemma, some landscapers will choose to cut down the tree. While this is one solution, you may be able to correct the problem with a much less extreme solution. When growing a forked tree, there are two options for correcting the lean. Your first option is to simply let the tree grow with the fork and allow it to become your focal point. You can then plant other trees in the area or around it to help distract from the fork. Alternatively, you can correct the lean by removing the bark from the forks and binding the branches back together. You must do this while the tree is still young; preferably before it has begun producing leaves.
Rotated Trees
When a tree is naturally growing in an east-west direction, it is typically an indicator that it has a rotational leaning. While this is a natural inclination, it can cause a number of problems, especially if it’s accompanied by a leaning towards the south or north. Once again, you can choose to simply leave it alone and let the tree become your focal point, or you can correct the problem. To correct a rotated tree, you must first determine where it is leaning. To do this, stand at the base of the tree and look up. If it appears to be leaning to the south, for instance, then you must stop the tree from rotating clockwise by rotating it counterclockwise. This can be done with a series of controlled pruning cuts.
Upright Trees With Splaying Trunks
An upright tree with splaying trunks is another sign of a leaning problem. Splaying occurs when the top of a tree begins to lean in one direction while the trunk in another direction. While this may be a natural inclination for the tree, it can be incredibly dangerous. Splaying occurs when a tree is growing too quickly, which can happen for a number of reasons. A tree that has been given too much nitrogen, for example, will typically grow very quickly and produce thick, spindly branches. Splaying can be corrected by pruning the top of the tree, removing some of the branches. This will help redirect the weight of the tree and force the branches back into a more natural, upright pattern.
Upright Trees With Bent Trunks
If a tree is growing upright but the trunk appears to be bent, it’s a sign that the tree has grown unbalanced. A bent trunk typically indicates that the tree has grown too quickly and is now trying to correct itself. To correct a bent trunk, you should first assess the tree and determine the extent of the damage. If the trunk is only slightly bent, you can try to correct the problem by pruning the top of the tree, removing a few branches to slow down the growth and help realign the trunk. If the trunk is severely bent, however, you may have to take drastic action and cut down a portion of the trunk. This will help the tree realign itself and grow in a more upright way.
How To Correct A Leaning Tree By Adjusting Its Root Zone
When a tree is naturally growing in an east-west direction, it’s a sign that the root zone is too close to the surface. If the roots are too close to the surface, they can be easily damaged by the elements, including insects and rodents. Worse still, an east-west tree can be incredibly dangerous, especially if there are people nearby. Fortunately, you can correct this problem by adjusting the root zone with a few pruning cuts. To do this, you must first remove any vines and weeds that may be growing in the root zone. Next, you must prune back a few of the branches on one side of the tree. Doing so will redirect the weight of the tree and help it grow upright.
By Adjusting The Timing Of When You Water Your Tree
Another common cause of leaning trees is drought. If you notice that one side of your tree appears drier than the other, it’s a clear sign that your tree is growing unbalanced. To correct this problem, you must first determine whether or not your tree is receiving enough water. You can do this by examining the soil; if it’s moist, it’s likely that your tree is receiving the right amount of water. If you notice that one side of the tree is drier than the other, you must adjust the timing of when you water it. To do this, water the entire tree, but aim your hose at the drier side of the tree. Doing so will help the drier side receive the water it needs to stay healthy while the wetter side will not become too soggy.
By Using Bracing And Shoring Techniques To Adjust Its Growth Patterns
Finally, if all else fails, you can correct a leaning tree by simply shoring up the roots on one side and bracing the trunk on the other. To do this, you must first carefully dig around the trunk and roots, exposing them. After doing so, you must add a few pieces of wood to the top of the root zone, and then brace the trunk by adding wood to the bottom of the trunk. You can use many different materials for this, depending on the situation. You can also apply any of these techniques in combination with the ones above.
Conclusion
A leaning tree can be a sign of a number of different problems, but fortunately, it’s often a very easy problem to solve. If your tree is leaning, first determine why it is leaning. Once you know the cause, you can begin to fix the problem. Correcting a leaning tree is a relatively easy process, but it can be very dangerous if you don’t know what you’re doing.
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