Article: Wrap the tape measure around the thickest part of the tree trunk. You will use this measurement to calculate how big of a trench you need to dig around the root system.  If you don’t have a flexible tape measure, you could use a piece of string and a regular tape measure. Wrap the string around the trunk, then measure how much string fit around the trunk with a regular tape measure. This method of straightening will work for trees that are to big to straighten by pulling on with a strap and stake system. Use a shovel to dig a circular trench around the trunk of the tree that is at least 10 in (25 cm) wide for every 1 in (2.5 cm) of the trunk’s diameter. Make the hole about 2 ft (0.61 m) deep.  For example, if the tree’s diameter is 20 in (51 cm), then you would need to dig a trench that is at least 200 in (510 cm) wide. If the tree is particularly large and you don’t want to dig it out yourself, you can hire a tree moving company to dig the hole with a tree spade. Really large trees will not correct easily. Consider leaving your tree leaning to avoid damaging the roots and killing your mature tree. Put the pad on the side of the tree that is leaning. Wrap the rope around the mat and tie it in a loop to secure it in place. You can use a foam pad like a camping mat, or some old blankets, as a pad to protect the tree’s bark. Get a lot of helpers to pull the tree straight, or attach the rope to a truck and slowly accelerate to start straightening the tree. Stop pulling if the tree is not moving and dig out the trench more to loosen the root system. Stop pulling and leave the rope attached to the tree and truck when the tree is standing straight. Don’t pull up the roots without loosening them first, or you risk tearing them and killing the tree. Use a shovel to pack the dirt back into the trench and cover the roots. Put as much of the dirt back in as you can to give the roots a good foundation. Remove the rope from the tree and truck after you fill in the hole. It can take at least a year for the roots to re-establish themselves once you have loosened them and shifted the tree. Pound 2-3 wooden stake posts at least 18 in (46 cm) into the ground further away from the tree than the trench you dug, so that they don't hit the root system. Wrap tree straightening straps around the middle of the trunk and secure them to the posts to hold the tree in place.  You can get special tree straps at home improvement centers. The straps will keep the tree stable so that the roots can re-establish themselves. Not all trees can be successfully straightened. Sometimes the roots have trouble re-establishing themselves. In this case, you may not be able to save the tree from dying. Before you remove the straps, try loosening them a bit to make sure the tree stands firmly on its own.
What is a summary of what this article is about?
Measure the diameter of the tree with a flexible tape measure. Dig a trench around the base of the tree to free the roots. Place a pad on the trunk and wrap a rope around the pad. Pull the tree with the rope to straighten it. Fill in the hole around the tree with the dirt you dug out. Wrap tree straightening straps around the tree for at least 1 year.