Northern Red Oak tree - Ask Extension
I failed to remove the protective tube on this tree. It spiraled inside the tube. Tube removed this summer. Questioning if the pigs tail curl will str...
Knowledgebase
Northern Red Oak tree #922866
Asked December 15, 2025, 8:08 AM EST
I failed to remove the protective tube on this tree. It spiraled inside the tube. Tube removed this summer. Questioning if the pigs tail curl will straighten out? Second question would be if I should do anything to the tree or let Mother Nature work her magic? Both photos are of the same tree, different angles.
Fillmore County Minnesota
Expert Response
No and possibly. The wood in the very middle of the trunk is fixed and will not change. However, if the "pigs tail" is at all flexible, try staking it gently into a vertical position. See this web page.
https://extension.umn.edu/planting-and-growing-guides/staking-and-guying-trees
The trunk will not become completely straight, but it may grow straighter above this section and have a "wavy" section in the middle of the trunk. If this works, I suspect that this area will be weak and may break off in a wind storm.
Alternative one is to stake the second stem that is emerging from the ground to keep it straight. Then remove the crooked trunk and let the second stem become the new leader or main trunk.
Alternative two. Training the area below the crooked section to become a new leader. See these web pages.
https://henderson.ces.ncsu.edu/2021/03/pruning-for-a-single-leader/
https://hort.ifas.ufl.edu/woody/structural-pruning-flash.shtml
This will become an experiment for you.
Well done on protecting the tree from deer and rabbit damage with the fencing if it is metal hardware cloth. It appears to be plastic fencing in the picture which both varmints can chew through and then chew the bark which will kill the tree. Good luck!
https://extension.umn.edu/planting-and-growing-guides/staking-and-guying-trees
The trunk will not become completely straight, but it may grow straighter above this section and have a "wavy" section in the middle of the trunk. If this works, I suspect that this area will be weak and may break off in a wind storm.
Alternative one is to stake the second stem that is emerging from the ground to keep it straight. Then remove the crooked trunk and let the second stem become the new leader or main trunk.
Alternative two. Training the area below the crooked section to become a new leader. See these web pages.
https://henderson.ces.ncsu.edu/2021/03/pruning-for-a-single-leader/
https://hort.ifas.ufl.edu/woody/structural-pruning-flash.shtml
This will become an experiment for you.
Well done on protecting the tree from deer and rabbit damage with the fencing if it is metal hardware cloth. It appears to be plastic fencing in the picture which both varmints can chew through and then chew the bark which will kill the tree. Good luck!
