Question
Hi Jim
I have a northwest poplar (seedless male clone) which I planted in my backyard about five years ago.
It is now about 3-4 storys tall!-this is good as I wanted a shade tree fast.
Problem is,it has developed a pronounced lean to the south,over the fence and away from the property.
I tried 'correcting' this last spring by tying a rope around it and pulling it straight against the house.
I protected the bark by putting the rope through a piece of garden hose,but when I removed it yesterday(rope had to go as I am doing renovations) the tree sprung back,and there was a deep groove where the rope was on the tree.
Will the tree eventually straighten out,or should I just cut it down before it gets too big?
I dont think its a danger,it just looks funny.
Also,a couple suckers came up lasy year,which I kept.
If the tree comes down,will the suckers,which are in good spots,become as large as the parent? Thanks!

Answer
Sometimes tree just grow in a lean. Check the ground on the side away from the lean--if the ground seems to be pulled up by the tree then the roots of the tree are damaged and you may as well take it down now. BUT if the ground seems level and not up heaved then the tree is just growing as leaning tree and it is not a health problem. The tree over time will grow more straighter and more then likely have a bend in the tree as it tries to grow up right.
Roots do generate sprouts and if these are left they will make a tree. It is up to you if you want them where they are--they more than likely can not be moved since their root system is the same as the parent tree.