In cases where a small tree leans only slightly, you might not need to do anything at all.
Young trees develop stronger wood and root systems if the trunks are allowed some flexibility.
That said, other arborists recommend staking young trees for the first year until they’ve sent out roots.
The Spruce / Steven Merkel
Then, remove the stakes to allow the trunk to flex.
Drive the stakes into the ground at a 45-degree angle toward the trunk of the tree.
Longer and deeper stakes provide better reinforcement.
The Spruce / Steven Merkel
Then, manually push the tree straight and upright, applying even pressure along the trunk.
Enlisting a helper is a good idea.
Use slow, steady pressure so you don’t damage the trunk.
The Spruce / Steven Merkel
Secure the Tree to the Stakes
Special straps are available at hardware stores for staking trees.
Canvas hammock straps also are an option.
Use rope or cables threaded through some form of pliable sleeve to tie the tree to the stakes.
The Spruce / Steven Merkel
Strips of canvas or burlap can also work.
Finding the right position for the ropes along the trunk can be tricky.
The best position is often near the first lateral branches extending out from the trunk.
The Spruce / Steven Merkel
The ropes also should have a small amount of slack to allow the trunk some movement.
Why Trees Lean
Some leaning on a young tree is normal and should be expected.
Remove as much of the soil as you could from theexposed rootsand then gently straighten the tree.
The Spruce / Steven Merkel
verify all the roots are below ground level before firmly packing down the soil around the root ball.
Then, stake the tree to give it support as its roots take hold again.
In the long term, this solution might be better than staking it..
It is possible for a tree to straighten itself out if its only leaning a small amount.
Trees naturally want to grow upward.
A slightly leaning tree often can grow to maturity without issue.
But a seriously leaning tree with the majority of its roots exposed probably wont be able to be saved.
