Fix the fence.

Check the tree for stability and stake properly if necessary.

See how it buds out this spring.

Water when needed.

If it fails, replace with another tree.

Can’t see the new pic but with as small as it is and since you feel it never rooted properly, dig it up, check the roots and replant.

tj

Yup, good time of year to fix the root system.

eta: even if the roots aren't fixable, at least then you'll know enough to replace the tree before wasting another season on it.

So which way should I go ?

-dig it out and plant it in a new positions

-dig it out and put it in a large planter

-leave it as is add stakes to straighten it up

The tree also lost its lead branch (had no leaves last year and it was broken in this incident It seemd to be dried and dead anyway)

' and it has never seemed to be very solidly anchored '

This is an indication of a problem with the tree roots. The roots are the foundation of the tree and like the old saying goes, if the foundation is not right, then the whole building will fail.

Any potted tree that you buy nowadays is likely to have this problem and must be corrected before anything else is done.

It's relatively easy to inspect the roots. Carefully dig around the base of the tree by using your hand. Using water to soften the soil helps. What you're looking for is a root crown and roots that extend radially away from the trunk. The root crown should be at ground level or slightly above.

This would be the ideal thing if you find radiating roots and root flare at proper level.

If the root flare is planted too deeply, then the directions below would apply.

If you find misdirected roots that are circling and staying in the area right around the trunk, that's bad and the tree will never become stable. It's best then to dig up the tree and bare root it with the garden hose and replant it after some root surgery and/or cutting and untangling some of the roots.

If the root mass is so solid and deformed that nothing can be done to fix it, replacement is next on the list. A solid woody root mass that is deformed cannot produce a healthy tree.

I blamed that light flexibility at root level on the fact that the tree was relatively young and recently planted there

I have had the chance to see these trees grown older than mine and they do not show and roots at ground level

Here they are, in Niagra Falls Ontario

Red bud Golden Hearts in Niagara Falls Ontario

Here is one in a nursery

Could you please post a picture of what it should look like around the roots?

Also digging out the tree right now, with bare hands might not be feasible for many reasons.

Even if the soil is wet I do not think that I can dig out a tree with bare hands

I was planning to use a long trench spade and dig like 2ft away from it or further than possible (put the spade in the ground as deep as possible and then pry out the root bal with lots of soil around it. After that I can have a loog at the root ball to see if it is as bad as you said and replant it

Start by using your hands to locate the root crown (where the trunk flares out into the root system). It should be at or above ground level, so very little digging if any. If you have to dig, the tree is planted too deep and needs to be pulled out and planted at the correct height.

ivan,

you're misunderstanding the whole concept.

I never said that you want the roots at ground level.

I was talking about the 'Root Flare' which is where the trunk widens out and begins to turn into the root system. see diagram below.

I also never told you to dig the tree out with your hands.

I told you to use your hand to dig around at the base of the trunk just to find the root flare to make sure it is at the correct level or if it is buried too deep.

At that same time, you may be able to see if the roots are traveling away from the tree or circling in an improper manner.

There's no point digging out the tree unless there is a circling root problem or if the root flare is too deep.

The instructions above are telling you how to check for root and root flare problems.

If you have root or root flare problems, then you have a reason to dig the tree out (using a shovel, not your hands), then bare root the tree (only, if necessary, because of a root problem) and replant correctly.

thank you guys I now get the idea

I have one last question: how bad could this be if I found the tree bent like almost parallel with he ground (maybe a 15 degree angle) I expect many of the roots on the opposite side to be broken. Could it still recover from this?

' I expect many of the roots on the opposite side to be broken. '

Inspect the tree before making conclusions about the condition.

Post a close-up picture once everything is in view.

From what I understand, red buds are good at shooting new sprouts from the roots, unless you have a grafted variety. But let's see what you have once things are in view.

Yes the Golden Hart variety is grafted, they say it is a cultivar

Then you won't want sprouts from the bottom of the tree.

If the roots are broken on the one side, you should stake the tree properly, so it stays upright, yet has some movement in the wind.

https://pacificnurseries.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/11/TreePlanting_PP_11_10_18-01.png

(don't amend the soil).

OK here a picture of the tree at this moment

It has been raining for days here in Toronto and I have also been away so I had no chances to do anything for the poor guy. I decided to let the nature tell me where it sits and to check with you guys what needs to be done

Use this link to zoom in

https://drive.google.com/file/d/10dSaVfWMYJemLlBGFmsz54sMthPrwts_/view

Just ignore the edging you see there...it will be cut to make room for the tree as it needs

Here is a close view of the grafting point

https://drive.google.com/file/d/10eCS7nwTKFnw_rqFCUjeJfi5_tf7Sdr_/view?usp=share_link

Were the roots broken?

Can't say.. I have not touched the tree since I opened this thread.

I will just use stakes to straighten it up.

Not sure how to find out which branch will become the lead

It is leaning toward the viewer -you can't really say from that picture

I'd just let it grow for a while. The tree will re-leader, but being the tree was broken, it might take a while getting it back into a decent form.

You'll just have to work on it, little at a time for a couple/few years. It might never be perfect but should look better over time.