Gardening and Horticulture - bent tree

I'm getting a jap maple from a friend .the tree is about 6' tall ,they planted the tree too close to thiere deck so when it grew it started to grow away from there deck ,now about 12" from the ground the tree is bend,tring to grow away from the deck.He told me to plant it where the bend is & it will be fine.Is this true? what the best way to plant & take care of this tree?thank you

Am I reading this correctly? Your friend said to plant the tree where the bend is and means for you to plant it 12" deeper then it was planted before? UH OH!!! No way is that going to work as it will kill the tree. Trees should be planted so the root flare is visible and not buried.


Here's how to dig up and transplant your tree.
http://www.albertarose.org/women/gardening/ball_and_burlap.htm
http://www.arborday.org/trees/video/howtoplant.cfm
http://www.ext.nodak.edu/extpubs/plantsci/trees/f1147w.htm
http://www.ext.colostate.edu/pubs/Garden/07226.html
http://www.treesaregood.com/treecare/mulching.aspx
http://www.mdvaden.com/advice-landscape.shtml#wateringsuggestions

Lots of info on root flare and root growth.
http://hort.ifas.ufl.edu/woody/planting/rootgrowth.htm

There are a couple of ways to stake your tree to help straighten it. It probably won't be stick straight over time, but this will help if you put more tension on one side. You will need to adjust the tension each year. It should take 2 or 3 years for the tree to straighten some.
http://hort.ifas.ufl.edu/woody/planting/staking.htm
http://ohioline.osu.edu/hyg-fact/1000/1141.html
http://www.rhs.org.uk/advice/profiles1201/staking_trees.asp

You don't say if this is a dwarf weeping or an upright tree, but this site has loads of info on Japanese maples. Clidk on FAQ's and Articles on the left.
http://www.mountainmaples.com/WS4D_Cookie=5.24.04_17,39,13_15/index.html

Newt

I agree .Thanks

You are very welcome! Enjoy your treasure!

Newt