Tornado – Saving trees

Q: Our subdivision got hit by the tornado a few weeks ago. It did considerable damage to the small trees in our yard. What are the chances that they’ll survive and stay healthy if we straighten them up and secure them in an upright position?

A: If they are leaning because the trunks were bent, you can stake them upright for a couple of years. But if their root systems are half-way out of the ground, you ‘ll need to excavate under the roots to allow each tree to settle back down so the trunk is in a vertical position. These will also need to be staked for a couple of years until anchor roots can regrow.