leaning tree

farrington135

I have a 40' pine in my backyard leaning around 20°. I'm debating whether to have it cut down or just trimmed. I was told it isn't anything to worry about but to see it lean even more when it's windy and/or is snow covered is not reassuring me that it won't come down during a strong storm. Is this common and nothing to worry about??

NateHanson

If it's really leaning 20 degrees, I wouldn't say that's "normal".

If it falls, will it land on anything expensive? (house, car, neighbor's kids)

If it's only a few degrees I wouldn't worry about it. But 20 degrees is really a lot. That would put the top of the tree more than 20 feet off-plumb!

rohnds

Is the tree leaning 20 degree from the ground like this,


Or 20 degrees from the vertical like this,

farrington135

20° from vertical. Exactly like your second diagram.

handy man88

Cut that tree down. Pine trees have very weak root systems, as most of the roots are near the top, and thus will topple easily.

NateHanson

I've got a lot of pine, spruce, and fir. The ones that are leaning like that generally have already lost grip of the soil and are hungup in another tree. I wouldn't trust it a bit. If it's going to be a problem when it falls, I'd take it down now. Otherwise, just let nature take it's course, and clean up afterwards.