Question
Two years ago we planted two Green Giant Thujas they were about 6ft tall. We wanted to make a group of three trees in this particular spot so we chose a Blue Spire Juniper to form a triangle of three, with the Blue Spire at the front. They look really good with the lush green of the Green Giants and the lovely Blue Spire Juniper slightly lower but growing just as fast as the Giants. They have settled into their positions and are thriving nicely, but, and here's the problem, even though the Giants are planted about 7ft away from the neighbors fence, he has some very large trees in his garden (60 - 70ft tall) and my three trees are beginning to lean away from them. The neighbors big trees are not overhanging the Giants but they are providing some shade during the day. My question is, how successful will it be to stake all three of my trees to try to encourage them to grow upright? They are planted on a slope and they are leaning up the slope.

Answer
But the emphasis is on light. If a plant is overshadowed by trees, even though the sun is overhead, the plant may grow more sideways toward light.

There are hormones in plants, or chemicals, that can cause cells on the darker side of the stem to elongate. The plant or tree is basically steered chemically and by growth in this fashion to extend or reach light.


You can try stacking the tree an pulling it away from the lean but cabling should be removed after a year. May not do much good over the long run. May just have to live with a slight lean. As the trees grow the lean will be less noticeable.  I hope this helps. Without seeing the trees that is about the best I can do.