I would remove the current stake and the plastic ties. Then you need to identify which of the upper branches you are going to encourage to grow up more vertically to increase height (hint: pick one that still has a lot of flexibility to it. The two on the left side appear too fat and settled in their growth habit). Then place a new stake in a close enough proximity to the selected branch so that you can easily tie it to the stake to grow upward. And use soft or stretchy ties to attach.

That is a lovely maple! What's the cultivar?

Thank you; this one is Ryusen or Ryusei. I have a flexible leader picked out already. It would work with the current stake position if the stake were taller. If I put a taller stake where the current one is would it be too close to the trunk?

I’ve staked all 3 of my weeping Japanese maples for height, All I’d recommend is go slow sinking the new stake to see if you meet with any real resistance, but if you put it in the same stake hole I can’t see why you’d have any problems. Don’t gouge the trunk obviously, but you want it tight to the trunk for proper support.

With a trunk that thick, you shouldn't have to put the stake into the dirt at all. If the stake is stiff enough, just tie the stake to the trunk in two or three places and the stake will do the work. You should have no problem pulling a flexible branch up to the stake.

Thank you, Bill; I was worried about damage to the trunk if done that way. Do you pad it where it hits the trunk?

If you do that you will definitely want to pad the trunk, JM bark is extremely thin and easiy damaged and damaged bark is just an invitation for disease pathogens.

Yes, to the above.

Hard to see on the picture but you'll want some distance, a foot or greater if possible, between the bottom tie, at the base of the trunk and the top tie (not counting the tie that holds the branch). So you'll have at least 3 ties.

Is your tree in a very windy location?

Thank you, yes, this tree will be in a medium windy location. Not sheltered but not completely exposed.

i too would be concerned about pounding in a new stake ... possible root damage ...

so i would wiggle the old one out... take it the the store.. or measure diameter ... and buy a new one and slide it back in the old hole ...

it need not be re-attached to the main trunk.. you are way beyond that need ...

do not try to turn old wood up ... i would probably wait until mid summer.. and select some very pliable new growth .. and point it skyward .... as near to the center of the plant as possible ...

this is something that need be done in tree time ... meaning dont think you can take a couple year old part.. and bend it up ... sure it probably can be done ... and you can also snap it right off .... think of it this way.. you arent going to unbend a bow [as in bow and arrow] ... so dont try it here ....

i cant quite see in the pix.. but you might also prune a chosen branch near top center ... so it sets some new buds where you want the height .. maples have dormant buds... so this would be an option ... of course.. if you snap one off.. you will already be doing this ... lol ... though they never break where you want them to ...

ken

Putting a stake in an old hole isn't going to stabilize anything really but either way it doesn't much matter. As long as the bottom of the stake can't move around too much. But I disagree about not tying the stake to the tree. If the tree sways, the stake can rub on the bark all the more. So you'll really want to tie the stake at least midway up (padded w/something, I have thin foam packing material for this) and then to the branch. When you're finished, just manually push the tree around some to see what's happening in relation to the stake and the trunk. Tying midway up is if the bottom of the stake is down in the soil.

Thank you, I am not worried about stabilizing the trunk; it is quite sturdy. I am just looking to coax a leader upward. For that perhaps I can get away with a stake padded and tied to the trunk near the leader and not buried in the soil.

Those were my thoughts also.

If the stake is stable on the trunk, the branch will also be 'as one' with the stake. :-)