Stake it again, but more loosely, so it can sway in the breeze a bit.

Great info from lazygardens (as usual). Trees need to move just a bit within their ties so they can form reaction wood that produces strong trunks. If trees are tied so securely that they can't move, it will take years for them to get sturdy enough for the stakes and ties to be removed.

You can sort of compare it to someone who has had a broken arm (or leg). When the arm is in a cast, it can't move. When the cast is removed the arm is much smaller because the muscles have become weak from lack of movement. Trees don't have muscles of course, but lack of movement prevents strong tissues from forming.

Be sure to move your drip emitters to the drip line of your tree as it grows. This allows the soil near the trunk to become more stable so there is less chance of your tree uprooting in a strong wind.

Here is a link that might be useful: Planting / Staking guidelines

Thanks for the advice, guys! Nice analogy,aztreelvr...makes sense to me. I loosened the ties as suggested and also extended the drip emitters (I felt kind of proud because I actually went to Home Depot, bought the connecters and extension tubing and did it myself...for the very first time! lol). I'm sure it will take some time but I do love the tree...so I hope it will work out. Thanks again!

Again, the stakes won't fix the bend. It will continue to grow that way. Perhaps a tree specialist can do something. More than likely it will have to be cut which is better to do while it's still young.

Thanks, thisisme. I guess I'll need to talk to an arborist to see what can be done. I'm just a little miffed that the landscaper (who I trusted to give accurate info) told me that it would 'grow' out of it(without any extra effort required). I guess I'm a sucker...I'm sure he got a good deal on it! But he won't be getting my business again! heh.

Hi xica,

I just returned from a conference featuring Brian Kempf and his discussion dealt with the issue you have with the bend in your tree.

His recommendation - use a 1/2 inch bamboo pole/stick and secure it to the top portion of your tree. Start where the trunk is still straight and let the pole extend up along the bent area. Secure in several places with landscape ties, either the flexible green tape or 'arbor tie'. This will keep the limb straight until it becomes woody enough to remain that way after the pole is removed.

The bamboo is small enough to allow light to reach the branch. Shade from nursery stakes is what causes young trees to bend. Light does not reach the tissues and as a result the cells elongate on the shaded side. Voila! When the stake is removed the tree bends away from the stake - always.

I hope this helps.

aztreelvr

Thanks so much, aztreelvr!!! I'm so relieved because I really like this tree. Very interesting and informative... and I'll definitely give it a try!

I live in Ontario Canada and wonder if I should cut this maple tree down or will it grow straight. I don't want it to blow over I a wind storm and hit my house. Any suggestions or comments. Thanks, Jan

I would wonder 1) why you posted on an old thread and didn't start your own 2) why you planted the tree on a vertical slope and 3) how you got it to grow horizontally.
As posted, it looks like it's doing well though I couldn't say anything about it's directionality, since it looks sideways to me.

I wasn't sure how to start a new post, but have figured it out now and posted a new pic....,hopefully someone else will reply to my post......sorry I am new to forums

Trees bend away from shade due to cells elongating more on the shady side = they appear to be 'stretching' towards the light. Yours bent away from the shady shrubs but now that its grown above them it should grow straight up from now on. No reason to remove it.

I agree with aztreelvr. Trees do respond to gravity, wind, sun, shade, water. They can and do "move."

How do I start a new post, or can I relate my similar issue on here? I have this and it's already Woody where the curve is, is the plant going to fix itself? Since it's hardened where the curve is, I don't know how to stake this. I think the only option I have is to cut out that middle part out and graft the top with the bottom by taping them together? If this is the only option, how long should I expect a plant of this size to heal if I were to go with that route.

What do I do if anything if my young tree is bending at the top. It is heavy with rain and new growth. Should I trim it this young?

dbarron if you read this after 6 years, I hope you can be less condescendingly superior and ridiculous in your replies now than you were then.

Agree, its a forum to help others that are less knowledgable. Making somone (who is looking for help) feel dumb for asking a question is the opposite of being helpful.

I have a few young maples that were caught in an ice storm they were bent with ice for a few days now there still bent will they straighten out