Looks like some ppl beat me to it. Like I said in the other message, it's not really something to worry about with a small ornamental like that. They don't live terribly long to begin with. The main concern is the potential that as the tree grows, there will be included bark in the crotch. This creates a weak point for the tree to break there. So if it was a large tree towering above with a stem that weighs hundreds of pounds or more, then you've got something to worry about. Never the less, this could end up breaking down the road leaving you with a lopsided tree that doesn't look right and it probably won't break off cleanly and may not be able to heal. So if it does break, you'll probably end up removing the tree. That said... If you just paid top retail dollar for this tree, I would try to either get your money back, get a store credit of some kind or have the nursery send someone out who knows how to prune a tree and once they're done pruning it, give you a gift certificate for no less than 30% of what you paid for the tree. If they ask you what the problem is, tell them that you're concerned that when the tree grows larger, included bark will create a weak spot and one of the trunks will break leaving you with something that looks ugly. Therefore it's not unreasonable to ask for a store credit that you can use to buy something now to offset the cost of future replacement.

I'm considering leaving the tree to self-correct on it's own and hope for the best. ==>>> probably the way to go .. do add.. how big.. when planted.. etc ... have you tried talking with the city guy who planted it??? and finally.. a psyche question ... why do you need a perfectly straight tree ??? in nature .. they kinda grow every which way .. and sort themselves out ... but the issue is.. can you live with that?? ken

native .. schmative .... so many facts.. too much coffee .... ooooooohhhhhhh ... dramatic moan ... linden .. let me get this straight ... you have an otherwise healthy tree.. and this guy wants to .. on a preventative basis ... drill holes and add cables.. so that he can insure that you pay him every few years to come back a 'maintain' this threat to your garage ... sounds like a tuition investment program for his son in college.. or a repeating boat payment ... be done with it ... ITS A THREAT ... the poplars ... get rid of them .. period ... figure out how to do it legally with the lot owner ... since you will have the tree guys out.. offer to pay for it ... since it will be a minor cost since they are there .... DO NOT RELY ON THE COURTS for you might be homeless for the few years it takes to sue them ... the box elder .... i have a 50 footer .. what a carp tree ... horrible form .. ugly ... and those darn bugs ... harmless but irritating when they come in the house ... be done with it ... its just another maple.. and you should know my hated of such ... the smaller ... if you were to keep it .. just cut off the two side ones.. and ignore the tree canopy reduction theory ... its a maple.. with no root zone impact from transplant/planting ... it will probably double in size in 2 years ... but i would still get rid of it ... did i hit them all ... ??? was there an ash ... is not EAB an issue up there.. if so.. just get rid of the ash .... if the team is there.. do everything that needs to be done .. its a lot cheaper than repeatedly calling them back ... as i recall.. you have down-sized the property size .... and you need all the space you can get... on your new 1/2 acre ... WHY WASTE SPACE WITH THESE WEEDS .... native or not ... if you had 5 acres.. and more space than you need.. what the heck .. but we both know you can do so much better ... the best upside.. this time of year.. the chips are all wood ... have them leave them.. and make some nice beds next spring ... with my first house.. i 'saved' all the prior/original owners 'problems' for the history of it .... what a nightmare.. and the happiest day of my life at that house... was when the last was gone ... YOU CAN DO SO MUCH BETTER ... please... just bite the bit.. and be done with them ... ken PS: as you are addicted to gardening .... have no guilt.... as i am sure.. you will replace it all if not twice... mother earth on the plus side ... Here is a link that might be useful: WI EAB

I am in Zone 6b (near Knoxville, TN). I have the trees on a drip irrigation system. I remember posting my proposed tree list for feedback on gardenweb for feedback. I thought the hardiness zone of the poster was automatically included, but that doesn't appear to be an option any longer. Some years we do get a glimpse of a serious winter. When we do, everything grinds to a complete stop as you can imagine. I would like some trees to gain in height faster than others - perhaps I will more aggressively encourage the single leader on these trees.