Why Trees Lean

Leaning trees can be picturesque, but they can also be dangerous.


Trees are a lovely addition to any yard, and many gardeners consider them a necessary aspect of good landscaping. However, sometimes trees can develop leans which make them not only less attractive but sometimes dangerous.


Low winds will cause a bearable amount of stress on the tree that causes it to grow in the direction they are blowing, creating a leaning trunk but branches that still grow in traditional patterns -- parallel to the ground or upward. High, sudden winds can cause a tree to tip over suddenly and become unstable, exhibiting root exposure and downward-leaning branches. If the angle is severe -- more than 15 degrees -- you will need to cut it down.


Changes in soil can also cause trees to lean. Roots are a tree’s anchoring system, and if those roots are suddenly exposed, the tree can lose its ability to stay vertical. Eroded soil from wind or water can expose roots and cause instability in the tree. If the erosion is too much for the tree to bear, it might be unable to recover and removal may be the safest option.


Almost all plants grow toward light, and trees are no exception. Although they prefer to grow straight upward, trees that have volunteered or been planted in an area that creates competition may sometimes grow at strange angles to avoid shade created by other plants. This is a slow process in which the tree grows denser wood on the side opposite the light, forcing the tree to lean toward it, and does not usually present a danger.

Death or Disease

Dying trees or those that have been exposed to disease, on the other hand, can become more dangerous. If a tree hasn’t looked good for a while and suddenly develops a lean, this can indicate instability in roots, trunk or branches that might prove hazardous. You are unlikely to rescue dead or dying trees that develop a lean over a short period of time, and should cut them down.

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