We have a dogwood tree that is starting to lean over and I'm afraid that in time it will uproot and fall over. Is it possible that our severe droughts have caused the taproot to die and there is no hope for it? Or is there a chance that there's something I can do for it to save it and help it stand back up straight again?
I'd probably have an arborist come out and take a look at it, particularly if it's in a position where it's going to fall on something important if it does tip over. They can probably figure out what's wrong with it and tell you whether there's a way to save the tree or not.
Jenn,
Your tree looks pretty big, which makes it a challenge. It can be done, but, it will take time.
If you call a professional tree company they will probably recommend cables. They put metal or metal & concrete anchors in the ground, then eye bolts in the tree and run the cable between the two.
If you want to try to straighten it out as a family project you will need at least a couple husky folks. And supplies.
You will need to steel cable it and secure the cables to anchors in the ground. It would take a couple pages of explaining, I hope you know someone who is familiar with all kinds of materials. I will give you a brief overview based on the ones I have done in the past.
As an anchor you can use heavy rebar bent into a tight U shape and driven into the ground at an angle. The angle should be opposite the way the tree leans. You will need the two anchors about 45-60 degrees apart, opposite the lean of the tree pounded in at about 75 degrees. Buy a piece of rebar that is 6' and bend it so each side is about 3', doesn't have to be perfect. In rocky soils it can be difficult to get it into the ground. Make sure not more than 2-3" shows above ground level.
Drill a small pilot hole in the tree and insert 2 good size eye bolts put them at different heights, 8" apart in height and 45 degrees from each other on the trunk. Makes sure the cable can run straight from the eye bolt to the anchor without touching the bark.
Measure the distance from the tree to the anchor, buy 2 pieces of steel cable that are 3" longer than that distance, measure carefully, measure the distance by using a rope or some material that won't stretch, then measure that with a tape measure. Buy 8 sets of clamps for that size cable.
Go to a good local hardware store, a small place, not the big box stores. They will be able to set you up with the right sized materials. Rebar can be bought at the big box store.
Put the cable on the tree eye bolts and make sure it is clamped on securely. Do not use more than about 6 inches of over lap, make that end 'neat', no loose ends.
Push the tree back towards its upright position. Do not push too hard Do not use a pick up truck, use two people with 2x4's. Use some padding on the ends of the 2x4's at the tree. Push until the tree begins to 'resist', in other words push until it becomes difficult. If you push too hard it will crack the roots. Hold it there or brace it in place.
Have two people at the anchors, the first clamp goes on closest to the anchors. Have the clamps on the cable loosely and pull the cable tight. It helps to have someone pull the end of the cable, tight as possible, with a vise grip to do the best job. The second clamp goes on the end of the cable, to keep it neat.
Over time you will have to repeat this process, it can take 3-4 years.
I will add a schetch, but, this site does not support high resolution and it may not come out clearly, I will give it a try anyway>
heroic measures may buy you time, but in the long run you will be better off to start over with a new tree.
tikijenn,
Here's a site that may at least give you some explanation as to what caused your tree to lean (might be good for future reference).
http://hort.ifas.ufl.edu/woody/leaningtrees.html
Hope this is helpful.
Thanks everyone for all of the valuable info. I love the tree and the shade and beauty that it provides so I am still considering my options.
I had the same problem until my father-in-law came to visit us. He loves gardening and couldn't wait to landscape for our new home. The tree had been planted maybe for three months, and started to grow crooked. He dug up the tree and the roots and placed a huge rock that was just the right size to one side of the roots in the hole he dug out. After checking and adjusting the position of the rock a few times it was straight enough. He filled in the hole and now 8 years later the tree is still straight!
I had that happen with a large mountain juniper. I noticed a branch was lower than it should be. The size was to the top of my roof. The tree was leaning at 2pm on a clock to give you an idea of its position. I checked behind the tree and it had pulled from the soil and exposed roots. It would have fallen on my fence, possibly on someone walking by. Wyoming is windy, very windy so I knew it would fall. I called a tree guy, while holding my breath. He came up right away and took it down with his crew.
It had beetles that feeds inside. He showed me the sap oozing from small holes in the bark. The beetles come down from the mountains on trees people dig up. It is a long and slow death so I didn't notice its demise.
I would call a tree professional for advise. Yours is also a large tree and someone can get hurt if it falls.
Tikijen
I believe your tree is larger than our Fringe Tree - anyway, several years ago our Fringe Tree was leaning to the right. Hubby, my adult son and a friend of my son, made a cut in the ground in the direction the tree was leaning to free up some of the surface roots, then tied a strap around the tree. My son and I pushed on the tree while my son's friend pulled from the opposite direction, on the strap. Hubby pounded a stake into the ground to the left of the tree and then tied the strap around the stake in the ground. This straightened the tree. I do believe there was at least one instance where hubby had to tighten the strap on the tree since we initially did this - it has been 2 years. Hopefully in another year or two we will be able to remove the strapping on the tree. It did the trick though without losing the tree.
Good luck to you.
The bark on the tree is almost nonexistant now. I have seen woodpeckers on it quite a bit but I wonder if there may be more involved than just the birds. If it falls over I don't think it will land on the fence or anything except maybe one of us when wandering around in the yard. Eek! Maybe I do need to call the tree people.
