Cordyline advice needed again....

Thanks for your previous help with our Cordyline problems. We have this tree in our back garden, and unfortunately we think we are going to have to take it out as it is leaning heavily (this picture was taken last year). Can anyone recommend something to replace it as it is a lovely feature of our patio area.
http://i78.photobucket.com/albums/j102/leejameswestwood/garden2.jpg

 

It doesn't appear in the picture to be leaning badly, they can grow with a bit of a lean especially when surrounded by buildings.
They tend to be very firmly rooted, so unless yours is rocking around at the root ,I'd leave it alone. It might well compensate for the lean when it gets above a certain height.
If you really want it out you could replace it with a proper palm, Trachycarpus being the hardiest in the UK.

 

The previous owner must have been a real cordyline fan!! Nice plants, yes - but so many, so close to the house... I wouldn't want it for my place. Pete knows what he's talking about - I'd go for what he says, and I expect in Manchester you don't have very extreme conditions!!

 

Thanks Pete & dendrodium. The photo was taken last summer and unfortunately over the winter it has taken a battering, we have tried to secure it but it nothing seems to work and it is heading downwards! We would like to put a fruit tree there but aren't sure if this would work...? we really are beginners at this, but as the last owner loved this garden we are trying to keep it going!

 

Ah, if its on the move then its probably best out, not sure that looks the right place for a fruit tree though.
Is it a bit shady?
Doesn't looklike you need anything too bushy there, it could take up too much space.

 

Another option you could cut it off just above the ground it may send up a new shoot or shoots.
At least a smaller plant for a time........

 

that's been mentioned in part 1, Roders!!!! Must be the lack of smileys in this thread that's put you off!! :D

 

I have two cordyline that havent quite started to trunk yet, (sorry about terminology). Think they are now starting to, to tell you the truth i thought the top bit just stayed in the ground, if i get a big enough root ball, do you figure that I am early enough to move it without harming it, as they are sitting a bit too near the front of my border, and think they will look out of place being so tall in the future.

 

If they have been there a couple of years sharon then they will have formed a long tap root.
I'm not sure but I think its likely that they will be OK if you snap it, but it will put them back quite a bit I should think.
So I would say, yes you can move them but be prepared for a spell of not much growth.

 

Thanks, they were only planted a year ago, so hopefully the tap root wont be too bad, excited now trying to think the best place to put them. Our garden was a new build two years ago, then last year we bought 80 x 30 of a neighbours garden so its all so exciting, i walk round everyday, checking whats going on.

 

OK,I CUT DOWN TO ABOUT 12 INCHES ALL FOUR.
TO MY SURPRISE THE ROOTS ONLY STRETCHED TO AROUND 20 INCHES IN THE 14 FOOT TREE IN REAR GARDEN.HAVE REPLANTED HOPING FOR THE BEST.THANKS TO ALL ADVICE GIVEN.OBVIOUSLY THESE WOULD HAVE TOPPLED EVENTUALLY!!.