eastern cottonwood question

Joey Meister

I have a 4 year old eastern cottonwood, this year it started to put out more growth on the south side and since most our winds are from the north, it has started to lean, at time the wind makes it horizontal to the ground, is that normal of cottonwood? I used a guy wire on it to keep it stright but now the top just bends, what should i do?

Garry Brockley

that looks more like photo -tropism (light deprivation from one side) to me, could you take a picture further back so we can see the surrounding trees.

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Joey Meister

here are som pics of the rest of the yard, all other trees are fairly small

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Garry Brockley

was the tree damaged at an early stage in its development?
the top looks as if it is starting to straighten up in those pictures, ive seen alot of trees damaged in their early months that grow up to always have a lean or a large deviation or a twist to one side or the other, that will always be there unfortunately. it looks like the damage may have been at the next fork up from where your support is attached. if you have a codominant there that is growing straight then i would be tempted to remove the bent damaged leader and encourage a new one to lead.
the winds are a serious factor too but looking at the other trees around your property the wind has had no apparent serious effect on them as they have grown.
just my 0.01 cents worth

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Joey Meister

yea it was damaged twice actually, the first time was right were the green cable is around the trunk, the main leader never budded out and the closest bud took over, net one was right were the new leader is currently growing, the branch got broke by a bird landing on it in the winter, would it be better to cut it or leave it?, will leaving the wire on weaken the tree?, and how would i go bout cutting it if i would?







Thanks for all your help

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