By: Shelby McCullough| Published: January 9, 2023
Trees are beautiful and majestic, but sometimes they lean. It’s essential to know how to brace a large leaning tree properly to keep it from falling over and damaging your property or injuring someone. With the right tools and a little know-how, homeowners in places such as Lake Mary can avoid the dangers of leaning trees and help save them.
What Causes a Tree To Lean?
A tree might lean for any number of reasons. While some leaning trees are perfectly healthy and safe, others may indicate an underlying problem that a professional should address before the situation worsens. Some of the most common causes of leaning trees include the following:
- Wind: Strong winds can cause even mature trees to tilt.
- Rain: Older trees tend to have weaker roots as they approach maturity, making them more susceptible to damage. Prolonged periods of heavy rain can saturate the soil and cause them to lean.
- Insects: Insect infestation includes beetles attacking the tree trunk and roots, resulting in a weakened support system. Over time, the tree may start to lean.
- Inadequate sunlight: Trees grow naturally toward the light source. However, they may grow crooked if other trees or structures block out the sun.
When’s the Best Time To Brace a Tree?
The best time to brace a tree is when it’s young. It’s one thing to stake a sapling to keep it from leaning. Knowing how to brace a large leaning tree is another skill entirely.
You’ll want to brace a tree when the soil is damp and pliable. Tree care professionals will typically handle this project in the spring. However, you can also brace a tree in the summer or fall by dowsing the soil with a garden hose.
Steps for Bracing a Leaning Tree
Tree bracing is a straightforward process, but it can take time. Following each step carefully and not trying to cut corners will ensure that the job goes right. Here are the instructions for bracing a leaning tree:
- Drive stakes into the ground. First, you’ll need to drive two or three stakes into the ground using a sledgehammer or mallet. Make sure the stakes go in at a 45-degree angle toward the tree trunk and are outside the root ball region.
- Straighten the tree. If the soil is moist and pliable, you can manually straighten the tree. Apply slow, even pressure to avoid snapping the trunk or damaging the roots. You may need a winch for larger trees.
- Strap the tree to the stakes. Secure the tree to the stakes with specially designed tree cabling or straps. Remember, tying rope, wire, or cables directly to the tree can damage the bark.
- Wait. The tree will need some time to anchor itself in an upright position. That said, it may take at least a year to make the tree stable.
Tree Bracing Services in Orlando, FL
At McCullough Tree Service, we provide top-quality solutions to all your tree care needs. Our certified arborists know how to brace a large leaning tree to keep them healthy and strong. Call us at (407) 734-5854 for reliable tree service in Orlando, FL, today!
