Knowledgebase
My tree is leaning to the East #871198
Asked June 02, 2024, 7:58 PM EDT
Calhoun County Iowa
Expert Response
Staking or pulling the tree upright is not a practical solution, as the tree will continue to grow towards the light, just above the staked area. Honeylocust is not more or less likely to do this over any other tree, so replacing it only means that if light conditions remain the same, the new tree will also lean away from the shade and have the same challenges.
Trees that lean like this are not guaranteed to fail, but they are more likely to fail than those that do not have a sweep or lean in the main trunk.
Some research shows that "failures related to lean can either be trunk failure or root-related failures. The International Tree Failure Database found that 10% of root failures and 7% of all reported trunk failures were related to a pre-failure lean." (source)
If the lean concerns you, you can replace the tree and plant the new tree further away from the neighboring trees so it is not in the shade of the larger trees and can grow straight upward. You could also replace the tree and plant it in the same location if you can introduce more light to the shady side of the tree. This could be accomplished by removing plant material or limbing up neighboring trees to let in more light (this is not likely a viable solution, but one that could be done).
If the tree is starting to grow straight upwards again, you could also leave it with the sweep in the trunk and the knowledge that it will have a higher likelihood of failure in a storm event but could also grow and live many years with no issues. This approach is difficult for me to recommend (I'm not much of a gambler), but it is an option.
If you decide to replace the tree, here is some information on fall planting (now would not be the greatest time to plant a new tree going into summer, but planting could be done starting in late August).
https://yardandgarden.extension.iastate.edu/how-to/planting-late-summer-and-early-fall
Sent: Tuesday, June 4, 2024 4:07 PM
To: Jill Birks <<personal data hidden>>
Subject: Re: My tree is leaning to the East (#0141118)
Dear Jill, here's the response to your question:
This is a natural response for this tree. Trees will always lean or stretch towards the light if shaded on one side. Once the main leader gets beyond the shade of the neighboring trees, it will grow upwards again.
Staking or pulling the tree upright is not a practical solution, as the tree will continue to grow towards the light, just above the staked area. Honeylocust is not more or less likely to do this over any other tree, so replacing it only means that if light conditions remain the same, the new tree will also lean away from the shade and have the same challenges.
Trees that lean like this are not guaranteed to fail, but they are more likely to fail than those that do not have a sweep or lean in the main trunk.
Some research shows that "failures related to lean can either be trunk failure or root-related failures. The International Tree Failure Database found that 10% of root failures and 7% of all reported trunk failures were related to a pre-failure lean." (source)
If the lean concerns you, you can replace the tree and plant the new tree further away from the neighboring trees so it is not in the shade of the larger trees and can grow straight upward. You could also replace the tree and plant it in the same location if you can introduce more light to the shady side of the tree. This could be accomplished by removing plant material or limbing up neighboring trees to let in more light (this is not likely a viable solution, but one that could be done).
If the tree is starting to grow straight upwards again, you could also leave it with the sweep in the trunk and the knowledge that it will have a higher likelihood of failure in a storm event but could also grow and live many years with no issues. This approach is difficult for me to recommend (I'm not much of a gambler), but it is an option.
If you decide to replace the tree, here is some information on fall planting (now would not be the greatest time to plant a new tree going into summer, but planting could be done starting in late August).
https://yardandgarden.extension.iastate.edu/how-to/planting-late-summer-and-early-fall
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Aaron Steil
Consumer Horticulture Extension Specialist
Department of Horticulture | Iowa State University
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