Staking a Large Tree

[Mickey]

Greetings All . . . I have a flowering tree approx. 15ft tall with a trunk diameter of roughly 8in. Through two relatively bad wind storms over the last four years, the tree is now leaning slightly to one side. I want to use a truck with a winch to gently "right" the tree then stake it in place. Is this a good idea and, if so, how would I go about staking a tree that size to keep it from leaning any further? Thanks . . .

[Chris]

Staking the tree will only weaken the trunk over time making it more likely lean over from wind in the future. ... and 8 inch diameter trunk? That is a big tree. Or did you mean circumference?

In windy areas trees often grow with swept shapes to their trunk, it is normal and interesting. I wouldn't worry about it.

If it were a smaller tree you could bend it back, by hand, until it looked right. You wouldn't hurt it in the end. But an 8 inch diameter is a bit too thick for that, and your truck idea is only going to try to rip it out of the ground.