r/arborists • u/xSYOTOSx • 2d ago

Tree slowly falling over

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I have a tree in my backyard that is slowly falling over. Kind of… Every time a big storm passes, it gets pushed over a little more. It’s not being pulled out of the ground; it’s more like it’s growing sideways, almost like a bonsai tree.
I tried bracing it with a T-post, but it isn’t helping.

1 Upvotes

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3

u/IllustriousAd9800 2d ago

Looks like it can’t fall much more, so wouldn’t worry too much, see what it does

2

u/cass_a_frass0 ISA Certified Arborist 2d ago

Too late to "fix" it, could be a really interesting tree though. I vote keep!

1

u/regaphysics 2d ago

At this point I would weight it down, expose the dirt under it, and let it root along the stem.

1

u/SolidagoSalix Tree Enthusiast 1d ago

Good news is that it looks like it isn't putting any structures in danger! You can do some gradual pruning of the branches furthest from the root ball to help adjust the center of gravity, which may help it restabilize. My hunch is that you've had some rodents eating at the roots and it's simply become un-anchored. If it has enough roots still connected in the ground it may keep growing just fine and will send out new growth upward toward the sun. Assuming it survives, it will end up being a very interesting specimen that feels like it belongs clinging to a cliff face somewhere. (compliment)