fork in red oak trunk

[whitenack]

My father-in-law has a young red oak. 5 feet tall. It has either had the top cut off of it or has grown that way. Branches are starting to grow out from that point, looking as though it will fork from there.

My father-in-law wants to know if there is a way to promote the tree to start growing as a single trunk again, if it will grow back on its own, or if there is no hope. Would trimming the branches at the top promote a single trunk?

Thanks,

 

[Kneejerk Bombas]

You could carefully shorten each of the tips except the one chosen to be the new leader. Keep the cuts as small as possible and repeat as needed.

 

[John Paul Sanborn]

If the branches are just small twigs, then removing the terminal bud on all bu the desired centeral leader will give you the desired results.

Sometimes the terminal bud can "abort" from frost, bugs, birds or any number of problems. One of the reason there are backup buds right next to it. "Devine Design" mayhap?