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Not all leaning trees are dangerous, but they can be a hazard as gravity may eventually cause them to fall. A key factor is whether the lean is new or has been present for a long time. Trees that have grown with a lean for years are not typically an immediate danger, but a sudden lean is a cause for concern as it often indicates weakening roots. If a tree is leaning more than 15% from vertical, you should consider having it straightened or transplanted. To be safe, it's always best to hire a professional arborist to inspect any leaning tree to assess the risk and avoid potential accidents.

Trimming a tree can take anywhere from just two hours to a full day, depending on the age of the tree, the number of trees, and the species. Young trees are generally easier to trim, as their branches are often thinner in diameter and easier to reach compared to mature trees. They also tend to be healthier. If you haven’t trimmed your trees before or it’s been a while, the process could take even longer.

If executed correctly your tree should survive after being transplanted to a new spot. However, effective transplanting requires six months, careful root pruning, safe transport to the new location, and replanting in prime soil conditions. You’ll also need an appropriately sized root ball for a complete tree transplant. A good rule of thumb is that, for every inch in diameter, your tree’s root ball needs to be around 11 inches. So a tree with a diameter of six inches needs a root ball of approximately 66 inches.

The best way is to start controlling tree height long before it grows too large, via careful pruning through the years. But that’s not always possible. If a tree has become too high or too large, use selective pruning to remove the most troublesome branches, one by one, without topping the tree. Gently shaping a tree like this can, over time, correct problems. You can also find growth inhibitors to spray on a tree to stop it from growing too rapidly, but use these sparingly if at all.