Tree with a lean...any suggestions?

Its moving away from the shade cast by the shed into the lighter area. So trying to restake it wont stop it moving outwards I am afraid.
Are the branches touching the shed at all? you could prune out the branches nearest the shed and then try staking it but I do think it will grow in the same shape.

These trees get as wide as they are high and branch from low down, so really its planted a lot too close to the shed. If you straighten it up the branches will hit the shed unless she cuts them off. In that position it can't grow into its natural shape but I guess you could have branches on just three sides until it gets over roof height. Have a look at some pictures on Google images and you'll see what I mean.

Thank you sbg and snoopdog. It has grown at such an angle as it was crowded by some big old bushes growing into it. We cleared this area last summer, all bar the witch hazel and grassed it over. It is actually growing away from the sun, but it does look like the shed is the cause of it sbg. It is rather further away fr the shed then it looks here. I will go ahead then with something wide and soft and sturdy snoopdog. Thanks.

Steragram I didnt realize how big they can grow, I just googled..well we certainly wont try to move so it'll have to be some artful pruning and hope for the best. It certainly seems a good year for hamamelis, so many flowers on it. The smell is fantastic, sitting on the bench with our morning coffee and granddaughter with her dolly it is a lovely spot in the spring sunshine. Spring??

You could shorten all the branches by a third or so each winter, to keep it more compact until it grows above the shed then let it go.

Witch hazels are very reluctant to break from old wood, so I would think very carefully before you prune it.

it will naturally do the right thing so just don't worry about it .

odd that it is growing away from the sun as usually plants bend towards the sun due to actions of the plant hormones.

You are right but I think it was because being leant on sbg by those two big old bushes, we are just chuffed it survived all the rough treatment, I thought we might have damaged the roots digging those devils out. Thanks nosey, hoya and andrew, I will keep all your suggestions in mind.

Two specimens further down the garden (behind the wooden bench) seem to have a similar lean.

your welcome resi . yes your right urbanite . theres a lot of trees along the coast that lean right over and are quite old so that could be the wind mentioned . my acre tree leans away from the sun but its also keeping its distance from a cherry tree though there not really close to each other ie 20` .

Wind, hilltop and often strong winds from the west plus being leant on by overcrowding, but it is lovely to see them being given another chance. One of those in the background is a gorgeous Cornus Kousa var Chinenses , I asked a question on GOY about. A real stunner when in bloom. Somebody really cared about this garden before the previous owners. Thanks nosey en urbanite.

your welcome resi .

Never acually said what a lovley tree it is Resi. I'm trying to choose one right now but it will have to be one of the newer more upright varieties. I hpe it gives your daughter many years of pleasure.

Thanks stera ?, I am sure it will.

the tree is strait its the planet that's on the wonk lol .

Don't ever being on a wonk myself but I have an apple tree with a bend in the 3 inch diameter trunk which I've been trying to straighten for for 7 yrs without success.

Wonky apple trees have character Hank.

As does a wonky witch hazel, way to go then. ??

Cheers!