How Can I Help My Peach Tree Resume Vertical Growth?

Q: Our peach tree has suffered for years from extensive shading on one side, encouraging it to lean precipitously. It has lots of green leaves. I removed the trees around it recently. Can I help the peach to resume vertical growth by staking and slowly tightening the straps?

A: If my father saw a “Leaning Tower of Peacha” on the farm, he would immediately direct me to grab a piece of lumber and prop the tree up. No matter how much of a problem it would be to mow around the tree, he would be happy knowing he had saved a peach. I recommend you do the same but, unlike my father, use mulch around the tree and the support to avoid mowing problems. Trying to pull the tree upright will cause too many other problems.