I have a few trees (4-6) that need to be straighten up to vertical. Presently they lean to the east up to 45 degrees. These are about 8 years old semi dwarf on M9 I think. They should have been staked... my mistake.
So I am thinking about driving a post at an angle away from the tree. Then push the tree with the tractor as far as I dare. Then chain up a turn buckle to the post to continue to move the tree a little at a time over the next several months.
What do you think?
I am open to any suggestions... would hate to snap the tree off in the process...
thanks
Dan or
Umatilla , Oregon
I would take a multivarious approach. It depends largely on how much force you have to overcome.
I agree with Jafar.
Digging on the weak side is good.
Yes, staking is very useful. At times I have had to use an enormous 7 foot, 80 pound limb to have enough force, so the stake isn't just pulled out of the ground. Obviously, you would be digging a huge hole and waiting a bit for it to settle.
If it's too much force, instead of breaking it, you can use a ratchet and strap, and ratchet a bit at a time.
I am doing that now on one of my trees. Move it to vertical over many months.
Clearly this is best done at a time when there is no fruit on the tree. The fruit itself can knock it over. It weighs a lot.
The tree is about 14 feet tall. I chopped off a few major limbs on the "wrong" side, to make it easier to move over.
Good to do it this time of year when soil/roots are wet. Let them slip back into vertical. I sometimes add water to the roots to help it.
I tied somewhat higher up in the tree to get a better lever.
It's working. Pretty close to vertical but got some distance to go.
John S
PDX OR
I used a come a long to straighten a 10" diameter apple. I drove a metal t-post at a 45 degree angle and attached the come a long between the post and the tree. During the rainy season I tightened it one click every day. It worked fine, however if I let too much fruit form on one side it leans again. I have it braced with ropes in case I forget to prune/thin on that side.
John S said
Nice job, Dave M. That's a big tree!
John S
PDX OR
Yes, every time I clicked the come-a-long I was expecting something terrible to happen but thankfully it went smoothly. When the ground was really saturated I would give it 2 or 3 clicks.
I do have to pay attention to the rope support and move it around every few years to avoid bark damage. After 10 years it is still good.
Idyllwild
simplepress
jafar
Marsha H
Viron
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