[Sodzilla]

Last year we had a 6" silver maple installed in the front yard. The guys didn't dig out enough before dropping it in so I had them pull it back out. Well, it sat out on the lawn for about 6 days between the removal and replacement. During that time the tree developed a bend that is quite dissappointing now that its been replaced.

Can it be effectively straightened (somewhat)?

What's the best way to accomplish this given that the tree is 6" at base and about 18' tall?

I can provide pics if they would help.

[Stonehenge]

I'm not aware of a method to straighten trees. Just spitballing here, but if a method existed, I would think nurseries would be using it.

You could try staking above and below the bend in one direction and at the middle of the bend in another direction, hopefully exerting pressures that would straighten it, but I've never tried it and don't if: a) it would work, and b) how hard it would be to make it work.

[papercutter]

6 days seems kind of a short time for a major defect like that to manifest itself. Have you had an arborist look at it? I'd start there; sounds like someone who knows trees inside and out is what you need.

[Fine Edge]

That does seem like a short time unless the neighborhood kids were all using it as a balance beam at one time.

I've seen minor bends on some smaller trees actually straighten out a bit after a few years but I don't know if that's possible here.

Post a pic, let's see what it looks like.

[my big dog]

y would any one plant a silver maple any way weak wooded garbage tree. 65 days and a crook develops pretty strange

[jshilan]

Just pull it out again and lay it on the ground the opposite way for 6 days. That should fix it.

I'm kidding, it's impossible for a 6" tree to bend in 6 days even by Chris Angel or David Blaine.
Something seems

The tree probably had a bend in it before, you just never noticed it. I agree with the previous posts, seek professional help (for the tree) to see if there is a viable solution.

[TrickyDick]

I'm kidding, it's impossible for a 6" tree to bend in 6 days even by Chris Angel or David Blaine.
Something seems

The tree probably had a bend in it before, you just never noticed it. I agree with the previous posts, seek professional help (for the tree) to see if there is a viable solution.

Agreed