A leaning tree can be a real concern, especially if the tree
could fall on your home, across the sidewalk, or into the street. Pinpoint the reason
for the lean so you can determine the best solution.
Location Issues
A lean doesn't always indicate a health issue with the tree
itself. Often, the location of the tree has resulted in the development of the
lean.
Shade and Crowding
Some trees grow well when shaded beneath a taller tree or in
the shade of a building, while others will twist and lean to get a full share
of sunlight. Many shorter-growing flowering trees, for example, grow perfectly
straight even when placed right next to a taller tree, but many taller trees
need plenty of room and will lean if they are too crowded.
If your tree leans due to crowding, thinning the canopies of
surrounding trees to allow in more light while also staking and supporting the
leaning tree may be able to correct the problem.
Poor Soil Structure
Not all soil is conducive to strong rooting. The main
anchoring roots of a tree grow horizontally in the top 2 feet of soil,
although some tree varieties have strong taproots that grow vertically to a
much greater depth. If the soil is too compact for the roots to penetrate, then
the tree may lean. Overly sandy soil can also cause leaning simply because the
soil structure is too weak to anchor the tree.
Soil structure is difficult to remedy once the tree is
planted, but tree supports may be able to help prevent further leaning or
falling.
Outside Damage
Damages to a tree, particularly the roots, can lead to
leaning. These types of leans can be dangerous since they are more likely to
lead to a fallen tree.
Storm Damage
High winds, particularly when combined with rain-drenched
soil, can lead to a lean. A tree that is leaning by 40
percentor more has a higher likelihood of coming down in a storm. If you
have a leaning tree before a storm, or one that begins to develop a lean after
high winds, you may notice disturbed soil around the base of the trunk. This
soil disturbance may indicate an impending fall.
Storm leans can often be fixed with temporary tree supports.
The supports straighten the trunk and keep it upright until new roots grow in
to better anchor the tree.
Mechanical Damage
Mechanical damage is man-induced damage to the tree. For
example, if your tree is hit with a car or rammed with a riding lawn mower it
may suffer broken roots and develop a lean. In some cases, the lean may be a
result of trunk damage, such as a split or break.
Tree staking is sometimes sufficient to fix the problem
until the tree heals. If more severe damage occurred, such as a split or break,
a tree service may be able to bolt the damaged trunk together. Over time, the
tree will heal over the damage and the trunk will be strong again.
Growth Habits
The growth habit of a tree can lead to a lean. You have a
better chance of correcting these issues if you catch them early.
Unbalanced Canopy Issues
Weight distribution in the canopy can lead to a lean simply
because the tree will eventually begin to lean toward the heavier side. The
extra weight of the branches on the lopsided tree can eventually cause it to
fall.
Fortunately, prompt pruning to thin out the heavier side and
balance out the canopy can fully cure the issue before an irreversible lean
occurs.
Weak Trunk Development
A trunk may suffer weak development for a myriad of reasons.
If the tree has a twisted or curved trunk or two trunks, it can be more likely
to lean and eventually fall.
Proper pruning and training when young is the best way to
avoid this problem. In mature trees, some pruning combined with support may
correct the problem, or at least prevent the tree from falling.
ContactMcClain's Tree Experts for more help with your landscape trees.
