I put this question up once already, but then I couldn't find it when I looked for it. I'm thinking I did something wrong, so if this posted twice I apologize.
We have a White Ash tree about 25ft tall and 10" in diameter trunk at the base. It's a fairly young and VERY healthy tree. All the limbs cut from it heal quick and nicely so. I noticed a circle impression in the dirt around it yrs ago. It's looked as if the person who planted it, didn't pack the dirt around it very well and it settled over time. It is on a slight hill and the bottom 1/3 of the tree has always leaned to one side and then it grows fairly straight after that. It gives it character as far as I'm concerned. Except, I've noticed a heaving on one side over the last few yrs and I think the tree is leaning more, or it has settled perhaps, I'm not sure it's hard to tell and should probably make a way to measure it. I'm wondering if the tree was root bound in the pot when it was planted and it wasn't broken up properly. We had a few bushes and small trees we moved when we bought the place, and the roots on them were still bound in a ball when we dug them up. And we had a row of leaning trees we had to remove for that same reason, so it wouldn't surprise me.
I trimmed the back side to remove some weight, hoping that would help. I was thinking of carefully digging a hole along side of the tree where the rim impression is, to get a look at the roots. I could also use a hose to wash or blast away the dirt, causing the least harm to the tree as possible. If anyone thinks that's a good plan and I find a basket wall of roots, can I severe them to break the circle so to speak? If so, should I prune a few at a time and give the tree a chance to recover or just go for it? I used to be a landscaper, and I have seen trees planted poorly. This one shows a lot of the signs of that. Maybe it just settled over time and it's fine? But how would I know if I don't explore the roots? I'm afraid to wait too long and be sorry I did. I could prune the top to help remove weight and reduce the wind sail while it recovers. But I'm afraid trimming the lead of the tree might create weakness issues later that I don't want and it has great symmetry right now. I could build a steel brace for it if need be, while the roots rebuild. But would I ever be able to remove it and trust the tree?
If anyone has ideas, opinions or experience with this we are all ears. I'm willing to do whatever it takes to save it. Such a great tree and very healthy, no signs of stress at all - just the opposite. It's growing like a weed so I have to do something before it's too late if it's not already. Or should I just leave it alone? Thanks everybody!