Can this tree be made to grow vertical?

Yes it is a grand tree. A risky way would be to sever the outer roots and lift one side of the rootball (when dormant) but a safer way to try would be to plant a ridged pole and fix some strong elastic so that it's always under pressure. It's a handsome picture.

Thanks for that Heron I will certainly give it a try.

As I see it, you need a gaiter round the tree with two wire ropes pegged down the bank to pull it back. You can grow climbers up the wire ropes as they need to be there some time.

Is this Rhus typhina Stags horn? which is a wide spreading suckering tree it tends to grow at odd angles which is considered by many part of its charm and how it got its name looks like curved antlers. I got rid of mine as it sprouted everywhere but i pruned it which encourages this.

Thanks Doc B The front garden is very small, there is not a lot of room for wire ropes but will keep it in mind.

Hi Drc I don't know what kind it is but it did sprout everywhere for a while though it hasn't done for the last few years.

Hi Skillen I think if you try to straighten it you may encourage further suckering from the stress on the roots. Which is not what you would want?

I'll see what happens with the above advice Drc it's worth it 'cos i love the tree. If it ends up causing problems it will have to go!

I keep looking at this photo trying to work out what's in the background - are you high up and is that very distant, what's there, and what's that vertical, pale line going from left to right? Sorry, just curious - nice planting

Hi Bamboo your right I suppose it does look a bit strange. The photo was taken from an upstairs window!
It was the best one to show the angle of the tree. It's a very small front garden and the vertical line is the kerb pavement and road. If you look at my pics it'll give you a better idea!
Sorry for any confusion.

I thought that was the path with a drain in then curb and then road from the top of a sloping garden? No I am not trying to be clever we posted at the same time.

How odd - been to your pics and found another one that makes sense, looks perfectly normal, but this one looks odd, like some kind of special effect, must be the light or something. I can make sense of it now I've seen the other one, thanks. Very neat beds, good edging;-)

i think it loks quite nice leaning over .you could put a screw in the morter between the bricks in your house a tie it withh wire above head hight.personaly i would train it ie bend it a bit in the direction you want it to go.in a year or so tighten the wire up .keep doing this till its past wear you want it as it will drop back a little when you eventualy take the wire away

Thanks Noseypotter, the more advice the better. I wouldn't mind a slight 'lean' but 45degrees is a bit much. You have to bend down to go under it.

builders have sumthing called an acro, they put them under brick work to hold it up , they can be used like a jack , if you put it under the trunk with somthing to stop it marking the tree ,you can jack it back to upright a bit at a time, just lean it in a position to push the tree the way you want,, if you know a frendly builder fine if not they cost very little to hire, no roaps or wires to fall over,

that sounds a good way of doing it cliffo it just mite be a bit unsightly for a while is all

If you used acro props, you need at least 2, as NP says a bit unsightly. To look more rustic you could use two forked props padded to stop rubbing. I have often used this method.

brilliant doctorbob hope your well my friend

Been thinking about this and, as its at the front of the house and on display, I think I'd be more inclined to chop it down halfway down the trunk and let it grow again - no unsightly posts, props or anything else to look at.

why do you need two acro's do you use two jacks to change a wheel personaly I would jack it up strate slowly to upright with the top of the acro tied alongside the tree then put a surporting post in firm but low , just high enough to hold it untill it a just to it's new position.

Thanks everyone for your advice. I'm sure between all your ideas I will hopefully be able to sort it out. Bamboo thanks. Do you think if I chopped halfway up the trunk it would definately grow again? This sounds like the easiest option.

yes, it should grow again, but you can't be sure how good, or not, it will look, that's the trouble. I;d be inclined to take it back past the fissure on the trunk that I can see in the picture and see what happens, maybe when it starts growing again, pruning out any branches you don't want and leaving the ones you do. But then I'm always a bit drastic! And I hate the look of posts and ties pulling something in a different direction, always looks so ugly.

I agree Bamboo. Sounds like a good idea - I'll see if I can pluck up the courage!

Deep, calming breaths, tell yourself no -one dies if you get it wrong, and you can always replace it anyway (works for me!) ;-)
P. S. I'd be inclined to wait till its dormant, though, perhaps November?

OK Bamboo I'll go for it! ..........deep breaths.........nobody's gonna die.......!!!!!