Trees that don’t stand straight and orderly, but instead lean out of their character, are considered a picturesque sight for some people. For others, they're at best an eyesore, and at worst, a threat that needs to be removed.

In this article I want to explain what you need to know if your tree is leaning by answering the most common questions.

If you're concerned that a leaning tree will fall, I can assure you that not all angled trees pose a threat. Trees grown naturally towards the light sources due to a process called phototropism. It is a long process and the tree has ample time to adapt and counterbalance the uneven weight distribution.

On the other hand if you noticed your tree started to lean in a short period of time, it’s better to call a professional to help the tree counteract or if the tree became too big of a hazard: remove it.

Generally a tree can be judged stable if:

-the tree grew into an angle over a long period of time (years, decades, centuries)

-it tilted a long time ago and you see the signs of adaptation (eg. upright growth habit)

You should call a professional if:

-The root plate lifted

- The crown is one sided / side heavy / unbalanced.

- The soil is soft around the tree.

- The tree tilted overnight or during gusty winds, heavy rains.

- the supporting roots are damaged

- If the lean is excessive and the tree is top heavy.

- The wood lost it's structural integrity and supporting capability (eg: by decay, pests, rodents, cracks.. Etc.)

Trees can lean due to various factors:

Strong prevailing winds can gradually push a tree in one direction, causing it to lean over time.

Erosion can wash away soil from one side of the tree's root system, destabilizing it and causing it to lean.

If a tree's branches and foliage are denser on one side, it can become unbalanced and lean in the direction of the heavier growth.

Damage to or disease affecting a tree's roots can weaken its anchoring system, leading to leaning.

Changes in the ground level, such as settling or sinking, can make a tree appear to lean.

Construction, excavation can also damage a tree's root system causing it to lean.

Preventing a tree from leaning at the beginning is the most optimal approach to care. While we can't control nature entirely, we can proactively promote the strength and health of our trees. Consistent monitoring by an expert can be invaluable for detecting problems early, enabling timely actions. Regular maintenance and attentive care are key to fostering tree health, ultimately minimizing the likelihood of leaning and other potential issues over the years.

If the cause of the lean is poor soil conditions and the tree is young the best course of action could be just to relocate it to a more suitable spot.

Note: it is possible that the tree was planted to the right location but the planting happened to be executed improperly. In that case a staking could solve the problem.

Cabling involves the strategic attachment of cables to a leaning tree, connecting it to a stable support structure like stakes or another tree. This method effectively restrains the tree, preventing further leaning or potential falls.

Pruning a leaner can ease the weight and reduce the torque on the weaker parts of the tree. Reducing the likelihood of the tree coming down to the ground.

If a tree starts to lean, it isn’t automatically a death sentence. Some trees have the resilience to withstand the bending and the changed forces, whereas weaker limbs can be made stable through cabling, and young trees can be corrected using stakes. The only way to truly determine what is best for your tree’s unique situation is to have a professional conduct an assessment and formulate a plan. It is possible that the only safe option will be to remove a tree entirely. While most of the times I’m advocating tree preservation, and I would always like to avoid tree removal, safety takes priority, and removing a hazardous tree is the responsible choice.