Several trees in my neighborhood seem to have an issue of not growing the lead branch straight up. It's as if the tree grew too fast and can't hold itself upright, so the top just flopped over. I took a picture of one such tree. One of my neighbors actually put in a stake and ran a line up 8 ft in an attempt to "straighten" out the flop. It doesn't look like it's working.
Was wondering what could cause this problem?
Update. Adding more photos. In response to all questions:
- Different species of trees are doing it and only about 20% of the neighborhood trees.
- There is no high wind in my area.
- In southern Texas. High heat, low rain.
- Each tree flops over at different angles.
- These trees were probably transplanted 5-7 years ago.
- The trees doing this are generally 8-12 ft tall. However there are plenty of other trees as big or bigger that aren't doing this.
Including more photos below. I could not see any consistency or pattern in regards to the trees doing this. I did get to thinking though. I do know our soil is pretty bad and I also know about half of the neighborhood has trees that are/were staked for 2 or more years. By default, the builder staked every tree and I gather most people don't realize they need to remove those stakes. Good 20% of the trees have died or on their way out from the stake rope/wire choking the trunk.
Could this flopping be a result of keeping a tree staked for too long?
