How to Replant Blown-Down Evergreen Trees

Heavy winds can cause severe damage to evergreen trees, including breaking off limbs and/or completely uprooting them. Although many homeowners simply discard blown-down evergreen trees, it is possible to replant them in the ground. The most important part of replanting an evergreen tree is to do it as soon as possible, as even short-term exposure to the air can damage the root system.

Things You'll Need

• Shovel
• Tape measure
• Pruning shears
• Helper
• Rope
• Towel
• Topsoil
• Garden hose
• 2 stakes, 6 feet long
• Mallet
• 2 nylon belts, 1 inch by 10 feet each
• Plastic tarp (optional)
• Bricks (optional)

Instructions

1. Insert a shovel into the hole where the root ball of the evergreen tree was previously planted. Dig it out until it is the same depth as the root ball. Measure the depth of the tree's root ball with a tape measure and then measure the depth of the hole to ensure accuracy.

2. Increase the width of the hole by digging out soil on the opposite side from where the evergreen tree fell. Expand the hole by at least 1 foot so that there is plenty of room for the tree's roots.

3. Look carefully at the exposed roots of the evergreen tree and identify any that are broken. Broken roots have clean, white areas at the ends. Cut 1/2 inch off the end of all broken roots using pruning shears.

4. Grasp the middle of the evergreen tree trunk and slowly raise it back into position. If the tree is larger, wrap a rope around the middle of the trunk and a towel around the rope to cushion where it touches the trunk. Have another person assist while you pull the rope to raise the tree vertically.

5. Place additional topsoil on the roots if you see any holes or gaps in the surface of the ground. Stomp down firmly on top of the soil to pack it down and secure the tree in place.

6. Water the soil thoroughly with a garden hose until it is completely saturated.

7. Pound a 6-foot stake into the ground 2 feet away from the trunk using a mallet. Repeat to insert another stake on the opposite side of the trunk. Tie the nylon belt around the tree trunk and one of the stakes. Wrap the other belt around the evergreen tree and the opposite stake.

Tips & Warnings

• If you cannot immediately replant the blown-down evergreen tree, water exposed roots with a garden hose and lay a plastic tarp over the exposed root ball. Weigh the edges of the tarp down with bricks.

• If the tree is taller than 10 feet, insert three stakes into the ground around the trunk and use three nylon belts for proper stability.

• Remove the stakes and nylon belts after two years.

References

• Walter Reeves: Tree - Straightening When Blown Over
• USDA Forest Service: Notes From Hurricane Andrew