Every once in a while, you have a tree that grows out of your yard that you did not plant there yourself. Usually, it is a product of squirrels burying nuts and seeds, or a wayward wind depositing seed pods in your yard. While you may not be opposed to free and natural landscaping, you may be opposed to a tree that appears to be growing crooked. If you consult a tree trimming service, you may be advised of the following approaches to treating the crooked tree's appearance.

Making the Tree Appear Symmetrical

Sometimes the tree's crooked appearance has more to do with asymmetry of the branches than it does with the straightness of the trunk. To correct this visual deception, the tree service representative cuts back some of the branches on the side of the tree that appears to be taking a nose-dive toward the ground. After the branches on this side are trimmed back, the tree automatically appears more symmetrical and it no longer looks like it is growing crooked out of the ground.

Pulling and Bracing the Tree Trunk in the Opposite Direction

With this method, the tree trimming experts will use chains, winches and a few other tools to pull the trunk of the tree in the direction opposite the leaning side. This approach works best when the tree is still younger than a decade because it is still willowy and easy to bend and shape. If need be, some of the exposed roots on the leaning side of this tree will be cut free, giving the tree more ability to stand upright. Then the tree is corded off to keep it upright, and braced in this position for several months or more to help the tree right itself and grow upward instead of sideways or down and over.

Digging the Tree up and Replanting It

If you are certain you want to keep this odd tree, then the last approach is the most extreme, but perhaps the most effective. Your tree service crew carefully extracts the tree from the ground, preserving all of the roots. Then they dig a fresh hole, anywhere you want on your property. Next, they adjust the level of soil in the hole so that when the tree is replanted it sits at an angle in the hole, but the tree itself is perfectly upright. Dirt fills in the hole, and the tree is braced as is so that it cannot attempt to tilt over in the modified hole. This approach works best for older crooked trees or trees that refuse to respond to other approaches.