skip to main content

How to straighten a leaning Japanese Maple

newbie_landscaper

15 years ago

I have a Japanese Maple that is growing toward the right because the previous home owner allowed photinia bushes to crowd into the space of the maple. This forced the maple to grow to the right, rather than straight up.

Is there anyway to correct the growth pattern? Will staking it straight eventually work?

NOTE: the base/roots are fine, its just that the tree grew toward the right because of crowding by the fast-gorwing bushes.

Thanks!

Sort by:Oldest

Comments (2)

Dave in NoVA • N. Virginia • zone 7A
15 years ago
I would think you'd either have to stake it, or, if the trunk is too thick for bending, then dig up the rootball on the opposite side, and using a crowbar or similar, try to tilt the entire rootball the direction you want it to go. Of course the smaller the tree, the easier this will be! Before it breaks dormancy will be the time to do this, but I'm no tree expert.
Embothrium
15 years ago
Japanese maples usually fork low to produce a vase shape or even when single stemmed grow at an angle anyway. Just leave it to respond to the change in exposure on its own. Definitely do not cut the roots to try and get an unnatural bolt upright trunk angle.
Related Professionals
Middle Island Landscape Architects & Landscape Designers · Rancho Palos Verdes Landscape Architects & Landscape Designers · Paramount Landscape Contractors · Pleasanton Landscape Contractors · San Antonio Landscape Contractors · West Haverstraw Landscape Contractors · Winter Gardens Landscape Contractors · Cicero Fence Contractors · Glenpool Fence Contractors · Madison Fence Contractors · Natick Fence Contractors · Santa Ana Fence Contractors · Santa Maria Fence Contractors · Tacoma Fence Contractors · Lomita Fence Contractors

Related Stories

GARDENING GUIDES 5 Amazing Small Maple Trees

There's more to maples than syrup. Expand your maple milieu with any of these 5 small and unusual trees

LANDSCAPE DESIGN How to Create a Zen-Inspired Garden

By Jay Sifford Garden Design

You can get the peaceful feeling of a Japanese Zen garden in your backyard by embracing these principles

GARDENING GUIDES 5 Best-Behaved Trees to Grace a Patio

Big enough for shade but small enough for easy care, these amiable trees mind their manners in a modest outdoor space

FARMHOUSES Houzz Tour: An Old Barn Inspires a Gracious New Home

By Mary Jo Bowling

Graceful and elegant, this spacious home in the Virginia countryside takes farmhouse style up a notch

PETS Houzz Call: Send in the Design Cats

By Sheila Schmitz

Post your best photo of your cat at home, in the garden or with you in your studio. It could be published in a featured ideabook

LANDSCAPE DESIGN How to Create a Beautiful Shade Garden

By Falon Mihalic

Turn the cool, shady spot in your garden into your own quiet oasis

LANDSCAPE DESIGN How to Incorporate Your Roofing Into the Landscape

By Jay Sifford Garden Design

Choose hardscape and plantings that work with your roof’s color, texture, shape and line

COLOR 10 Pair-Ups for Black in the Kitchen

By Laura Gaskill

Combine black with other colors to add drama, polish and modernity. It also can make a kitchen look more spacious

HOUZZ TOURS My Houzz: Elegant Simplicity in a Midcentury Northwest Remodel

By Caela McKeever

A discerning couple in Washington collaborate with a friend to update and add to their modern home

WORKING WITH PROS Inside Houzz: No More Bumper Cars in This Remodeled Kitchen

By Mitchell Parker

More space, more storage, and the dogs can stretch out now too. A designer found on Houzz creates a couple's just-right kitchen

Sponsored

More Discussions

Usugumo HTF : Hard to Find

2

Acer First Flame

3

Nursery Container Mediums - Sand ?

0

Scion Height When Grafting

0