I recently planted a 1 gallon, approximately 2-foot Cryptomeria japonica ‘Sekkan Sugi’ in my yard. I noticed it leans. Is it normal for it to lean? Do I need to stake it so it grows straight? If so, how I would stake it?
According to Oregon State University’s Landscape Plants website, Cryptomeria japonica ‘Sekkan Sugi’ is meant to be upright.
An excerpt: “Seems to be some confusion about this selection(s?), listed as both fast and slow growing. Perhaps some of the confusion can be attributed to insufficient attention in handling similar Japanese cultivar names. Jacobson (1996) lists ‘Sekka Sugi’ and ‘Sekkwia Sugi’ as synonyms for the warped and twisted cultivar, ‘Cristata’; and that ‘Sekkan Sugi’ may appear as ‘Sekhan Sugi’. van Gelderen and van Hoey Smith (1996, p 216) have a picture of a cultivar listed only as ‘Sekkan’.”
Based on what Seattle-area Great Plant Picks says about Sekkan Sugi and Cristata, I think that you may want to support your tree carefully, as both cultivars are described as upright.
An article from Iowa State University Forestry Extension (no longer available online) discusses whether or not to stake a tree:
“If possible, avoid staking and/or guying trees. Small trees, trees less than six feet tall or less than one inch in caliper or diameter, should not need staking to support them. As tree planting stock gets larger, their root system, ball-and-burlap, or pot size may not be sufficient to support them without tipping or transferring top movement down to the root system. With trees that may be able to support themselves, plant them and watch the planting hole for several days after planting. If the tree tips or leans, it needs support; if the plant stem at the soil line is moving excessively, creating a ‘crowbar’ hole which is a quarter of an inch or larger than the stem of the tree, it probably needs support.”
The book The Tree Doctor by Daniel and Erin Prendergast (Firefly Books, 2017) says that staking might be needed if your newly planted tree is in a windy or exposed location. The authors recommend anchoring the tree with at least two stakes at equal distance from the trunk. Drive the stakes into solid, undisturbed ground at least 2 feet deep, and tie the tree with biodegradable material like burlap, rather than wire encased in rubber hose. Leave at least an inch of room between each tie and the tree trunk. The tree should be able to sway in the wind. Remove the stakes and ties after a year.
I also wonder if you could carefully dig down and shift the position of the tree in its planting hole to guide it upright. If you are able to do this easily, you can avoid staking.