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Gardening question - bent tree #870988
Asked May 31, 2024, 4:13 PM EDT
Benton County Oregon
Expert Response
Dear Carrie,
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YOUR QUESTION #0140908:
Gardening question - bent tree
I thought I submitted this question a few days ago, but I didn’t get the usual acknowledgment email so I think it may not have gone through. I apologize if this is a duplicate. We planted a Quercus hypoleucoides a year ago in April. It bent over all the way to the ground in last January’s ice storm and has never fully straightened. I had an arborist over to prune some other trees and asked him about it. He suggested pruning it done to near where it is bent. He said that although this is topping it, it is young and will have plenty of time to recover. Can you tell me what effect this will have on the ultimate height and shape of the tree? We planted it to help screen the view of our neighbor’s 2nd story addition and would like to see it get to 18-20 feet. I estimate it is currently over 10 feet. What do you suggest? Are there any alternatives to topping the tree? Carrie Ottow CorvallisAsk Extension offers one-to-one expert answers from Cooperative Extension/University staff and volunteers within participating Land-Grant institutions across the United States.
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Hello Carrie,
I must apologize for how long it has taken us to respond to your question! We get many inquiries in the spring, but that does not excuse the delay you have experienced. I am sorry for this! I hope we are able to provide information that is still useful to you.
Regarding your pruning question, cutting the tree back to the bending point will likely cause the tree to sprout multiple leaders below the cut, which will create a "bushier" shape. This would not ultimately affect the height of the mature tree, although you would have a setback of a few years growth to get back to the height you had before the ice storm. Given that the tree was planted for screening, this thicker wider shape might be a benefit in the long term.
You could also try to bend the tree leader back into an upright position with ropes attached to the stakes in the ground in two or three places. This guide from Montana State Extension has a good basic description and image about this method. If you choose to try this, be sure to wrap the rope where it touches the tree with rubber (I like to thread mine through a cut piece of bicycle inner tube) to avoid damaging the bark. Be sure to remove the system after one year to allow the tree to develop the necessary strength to support itself.
Good luck, whatever you decide, to straighten your beautiful tree.
Sarah Bronstein
Master Gardener, 2022
