Any thoughts on this tree?

Libbie Kinne
by Libbie Kinne

There is a tree in our front yard that is extremely anxious to reach for the sky, resulting in a sharp angle of growth. Part of the problem is that it has been growing amongst other taller trees that block the sun. It's definitely alive and well, and I'm not one for cutting trees down.


At this point I just wonder how long it could remain like this without danger of falling. We're surrounded by lots of old growth on the outlying areas of the property, and will frequently find trees down after strong winds and heavy storms.


Any suggestions? Should I just leave it alone and not worry?

  16 answers
  • Redcatcec Redcatcec on Aug 02, 2018

    Hi Libbie,

    Your concern is understandable, what you might consider is a free estimate from a tree trimming company. They could better assess your situation and advise what to do or not to do about the tree. You might want more than 1 opinion though.

  • Teacup8885 Teacup8885 on Aug 02, 2018

    Maybey you could put 2-34x4s to support it, spaced about 2-3ft apart n put in ground at least a foot. Then take some wire to wrap around n connect posts not pulling tight .. n get some climbing vines!!

  • Stephanie Ward Stephanie Ward on Aug 02, 2018

    I would leave it. If it’s healthy, and isn’t hanging over personal property, let it grow.

    Stephanie

    • Libbie Kinne Libbie Kinne on Aug 08, 2018

      My first choice is always let it grow but I'm not sure that one day it won't hang over the house. That's the dillema. :-(

  • Jki33881575 Jki33881575 on Aug 02, 2018

    It’s bent

  • Cindi Schmidt Cindi Schmidt on Aug 03, 2018

    My son used to say trees that look like this were planted crooked 🤣

  • Kiera Beird Kiera Beird on Aug 03, 2018

    maybe you could cable it to another tree.

  • Janet Callahan Janet Callahan on Aug 03, 2018

    Cables and wires will eventually cut into the tree or become grown into the tree, eventually killing it. If it isn’t hanging over your house or in a dangerous location, leave it be. It will last longer than if you try to “help it” stand upright. It’s too old to change the direction of growth. That should have been done while the tree was still a sapling.

    • See 1 previous
    • Janet Callahan Janet Callahan on Aug 08, 2018

      I'm sorry I don't. The best advice I could offer would be a good arborist. Lacking that, try a trip to you library and check for landscaping and tree management books. If it isn't crucial you keep this particular tree, and you are concerned it will fall on or hit your house, then by all means replace it, which will in all likelihood require an arborist.


  • Sue Dillenburg Sue Dillenburg on Aug 03, 2018

    Cut it down and plant another tree somewhere else.

  • Gail Gail on Aug 07, 2018

    What does the top of the tree look like? Is it straight or fairly so? If it is, then it has found its path to growing normally toward the sun. Leave it alone unless it is posing some home structural or other critical risks. Use the curved trunk perhaps as a garden feature with other yard art & plants. Take a walk thru a forest or wooded area & see how many trees growing naturally you see with less than perfectly straight trunks. Maybe this will help you to decide whether to leave it to continue growing or not.



  • Stephanie Ward Stephanie Ward on Aug 08, 2018

    Best to contact a tree service and request a bid on cleaning up the trees in your yard. You know cleaning up the dead branches. An Arborist would probably know more about your tree than a service that cleans them up. Many will come to give you a bid on what should be done with them, if they are sick and so on....

    Good luck!

    Stephanie

  • Ann Ann on Aug 08, 2018

    tree has a pretty great 'lean'-when we get a lot of rain a tree like that would be down-near the house? cut it down like Sue said

  • Libbie Kinne Libbie Kinne on Aug 18, 2018

    Thank you all for the great suggestions and ideas!

  • Burt Burt on Aug 18, 2018

    If there are holes in the trunk, fill in with cement or concrete so the tree does not rot from the inside out.

  • Nancy Nancy on Sep 02, 2018

    I had a leaning tree that I knew was going to fall & was going to cut it down the next day. Well it came down without me. The branches brushes against my neighbors 2 story house. Happened @ midnight, my neighbors daughter was so so nice to cut it apart. MY advice cut that sucker down. You have other nice trees. They have priority over a tree on its way down. Mother Nature is so unpredictable. Just saying. 🌳

  • Lily Schlender Lily Schlender on Sep 02, 2018

    You have quite a few other trees around this one. The tree will always be crooked and you will always notice it. It is young enough so it is not a big job to remove. Plant something in its place and use the wood for a project.

  • Johnavallance82 Johnavallance82 on Oct 20, 2021

    Hi, You could use a "Y" shaped branch or a tree prop under the leaning side and try to help it straighten up. I have had to do this with my Gum tree.