Tree looks fine though I would like to see the tree at soil level and a close-up of the type of staking ties you've used.

Off topic, what is that construction in the background? Are those silos?

the string is just bale twine. it was a last minute fix last week when they were calling for strong thunderstorms (which we never got). i'm planning on taking it out soon. i'll put a picture of the base at the bottom. the film of mud around the base from watering may make it look like it is planted to deeply, but i assure you the root flare is exposed. as for the structures in the background, yes those are silos.

I think you have a very nice specimen there and it would be difficult to find a young shade tree, grown commecially, that's perfectly straight like it was machined in a factory. The only reason that tree has as straight of a trunk as it does is that the people at the nursery pruned it heavily when very young so it grew up as a single leader, to a certain point. Then they quit pruning and now the tree is continuing to grow as it naturally does.

Most shade trees, like oaks are decurrent in form, meaning it doesn't have a central leader. So you will want to do some pruning in the future to keep the tree growing up with a central trunk and lateral branches, at least for a while.

I'm stealing a post and link from gardengal48 that she posted in another similar thread:

'What you do want to encourage is a trunk/leader that will extend to a height of at least 2/3 of the mature height of the tree.

See this fact sheet for details on the structural training of shade trees.'

I wouldn't worry about those upper branches not being perfectly in line with the main trunk. With proper pruning over time, you won't notice once the trunk puts on some diameter. A tree is a product of nature so you won't get a perfect telephone pole from a tree like yours but is will be nice looking shade tree one day. :-)

I just wanted to give you an update on my tree. I pruned off some of the lower branches early in the spring, to raise the canopy. The tree is much fuller and has put on about 12+ in some spots. i need to mulch it yet. I really like these forums, but don’t like all these confusing changes. I hope it doesnt run everyone off.

A picture of the tree

For some reason it won’t let me put the picture on here. Any suggestion?

I guess it worked now :)

I thought I’d give you another update.

I Need to create a new mulch ring, the weeds have taken over. I also seemed to have lost the central leader. What are your suggestions about that.

Let it go another season or two. It should re-leader and by then will have more development that will help determine if any structural pruning is necessary.

Never rush a small tree or be in a hurry to do any pruning. A couple years is not going to make that much difference and the tree will have more crown to make use of sunlight.

Actually looks fine. Like Bill says, don't go chopping at it yet. Patience.

Here’s an update on my willow oak. The good news is that it did grow a new central leader and has really been looking healthy. The bad news is that it has, what I assume is borers? I scraped off all of the rotten cambium and found two of those white worm things. does anyone have any info on that? The tree never showed any signs of stress. Do you think it will be ok? These pictures are about 2 months old. Thank you!