Why is My Tree Leaning?

Follow this guide on what to do with a leaning tree:

Some people think that leaning trees are pretty. They also believe that most trees lean. But even though leaning trees are natural, they can be dangerous because of gravity.

Leaning Trees Near Your Home or Car?

A large oak tree can weigh several tons. Imagine an elephant falling from the sky and onto your home or car – it would be the same amount of mass. Its weight is spread between its branches and trunk. However, over time, the trunk can become weak and hollow. The branches can also be damaged by storms or improperly trimmed, making the tree more dangerous.

Root System Can Effect Leaning

Tree roots also assist the tree with physical support and ground attachment during severe winds and storms by transporting water and nutrients.

There are two different types of roots that help a tree. The root plate supports the weight of the tree. The transport roots help keep the tree stable in the wind. The majority of a tree’s roots are situated between one and two feet down in the clay part of the soil. This means that if a tree leans because it has grown towards the sun, its roots will be very different from those of a non-leaning tree. A curved trunk indicates that a tree has leaned due to growing towards the sun. A tree can adapt over time with sunlight, and its root system will extend to accommodate the shifting weight distribution up to a point.

Leaning trees with straight trunks are frequently the result of root system failure or storm damage that has caused the tree’s root system to collapse. If the trunk of your tree looks like it is dropping, that means the roots are rotting. This might be because of water damage or because someone cut them. It could also mean that the soil is sinking. If there is a mound on the opposing side, it means the roots are lifting out of the ground. This can happen because of wind, or the tree is too heavy and pushes against the foundation on one side. When this happens, the roots on the upwind side of the tree will tip out of the ground.

Change in the Lean Over Time?

If the lean of your tree has changed, it might mean that the root system is not stable. Call a certified arborist right away to find out what is going on and whether or not the tree is in danger of falling.

If the lean of the tree has not changed and it is not in the way of a home or car, then the tree may stay where it is without any extra care. If there is a structure nearby, it’s not worth the risk of keeping the tree.

You may trim the crown of a tree to reduce its weight or uneven wind loading if the trunk and root systems are healthy. Because they might fall over, leaning trees should always cause worry. Right now could be the best time to trim, before someone gets injured.

Safety Issue for Your Property

A professional arborist can help identify potential hazards and ways to reduce them. If you are worried about a tree, you can talk to the local tree service. They can help evaluate the level of danger and find possibilities to lower it through pruning or removal.