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Crooked Pin Oak Leader (OH)

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From: Wanda Rodman City: Antwerp, OH
I planted a pin oak in hard clay soil about 5 years ago. The leader is growing crooked. I expected it to straighten on it's own but now it doesn't look like it will. Will cutting off the bent top kill the tree? Will it straighten on it's own or should I try to straighten it? Thanks
	Extension Message From: Jay Hayek Extension Specialist, Forestry Department of Natural Resources and Environmental Sciences jhayek@illinois.edu
Greetings Wanda: I wouldn't cut off the leader of this pin oak just because it is growing crooked. Rather, the leader needs to be trained -- assuming it can be trained. Often times with young black walnut trees, we will splint a terminal leader to "force" it vertical (i.e., take a wooden splint and affix the wandering leader to it using masking tape). The splint extends down the main bole so as to provide structural integrity. Alternatively, you can tape the crooked terminal leader to an adjacent branch, thus forcing it to grow in a vertical position. Best of luck!
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