I need some input on this one, Ent & other tree huggers. I moved into a new house a few months ago with a 12 foot ornamental plum tree in the front yard, which I was told had been planted last year. That red foliage is pretty, but it was easy to tell it had been very badly planted and was suffering. The poor thing was buried way too low in the ground, and there was a raised bed around it so that had to go.
So last week, I tore out the raised bed, transplanted all the plants, brought the soil down to a grade even with the rest of the yard (which was 9 full inches!!!
), gave it a nice blanket of mulch...and by morning the tree had settled at a 45 degree angle! I looked into the hole and could see girdling roots and no roots at all growing out on the side the tree was leaning away from...no surprise since there were no roots to hold it up! Poor tree! 
Now I have to decide what to do with this tree. I decided staking it was an option but it leans over SO far I have to wonder whether this would be seriously damaging to the bark and a gigantic waste of time. Option two is to get some help and dig it out, move it over 3 feet and completely replant it. The problem is that I'm afraid I'll just get the same thing in a new place, which is a silly-looking leaning ornamental plum tree.
My inclination is to ditch the plum tree and get a pretty oak or maple to plant instead. I have an older tree on the other side of the front that is ailing from mistletoe & feet drowned in liriope! (Yes, I plan to dig it out when I actually have time). What do you all have to say? I'd appreciate input. THANKS!
Kathe
