Can a 70-year-old dogwood tree that's grown at a severe angle be successfully replanted to face the other way?

Question

In our older neighborhood there are beautiful pink and white flowering dogwood trees that have lined the streets for decades. They're regularly spaced in a four-foot wide grassy area between the street and sidewalk, two in front of each house. They're all between twelve to fifteen feet tall. The trunk of one of my neighbor's trees has grown at a very strange angle, about 60 degrees, I'd guess, and it's the only tree on the block that's done so. At a height of about five feet, the trunk is now, literally, at the middle of the sidewalk, and then from that point it goes straight upward. That 'elbow' of the trunk is at just the right height for unobservant and distracted pedestrians to smack right into it, face first. But it's a healthy looking tree other than that. We were wondering if it would be possible to remove the hazard and save the tree by uprooting it, turning it around, and then replanting it in the same spot. Or would we just kill the tree?

It's not a BRANCH of the tree that's at an angle. It's the actual TRUNK, so it can't be lopped off.

Answer 1

I would ask an arborist if the following technique would work in your case, I used it on one of my apple trees. Cut the roots on the side the tree it leans toward. Then push the trunk into a more vertical position and stake it into position.. It doesn't have to be straight, just staight enough to miss faces. You then need to prune the tree to compensate for the root pruning. If you cut 30% of the roots trim 30% of the branches. RScott

Answer 2

I find it unlikely that a 70-year-old tree of any sort can be moved without seriously injuring or killing it. At the very least, it's going to require LOTS of money, and someone who knows what they're doing. Just remember that what's under the ground is almost certainly as big, if not bigger, than what's above ground. There has to be another way without killing it. As odd as it sounds, can you re-route the sidewalk so that it goes on the other side of the tree?? It would require permission from the city, I suspect, but it beats destroying an old and valuable tree.

Answer 3

I am not saying it can't be done but I really think it would damage the tree and it may die,why can't you just cut off that one branch? A 70 year old tree needs a landscaper to tell you for sure.

Answer 4

I doubt it can be successfully replanted without going into major shock. However, I would consult a certified arborist (check with a reputable nursery) or your county's extension office which could refer you to an arborist or a master gardner. Either one of these sources will either be able to answer your question or will be able to refer you to a true specialist who can best advise you.

Answer 5

it'll kill it