Straightening the Tree

Hurricane Irma left our little oak tree bent over.  We had put this tree in just two years ago, replacing a previous small oak tree that had died.  I really didn't want to lose another one.

I contacted the Hillsborough County office of the University of Florida Institute of Food and Agricultural Sciences Extension Service ( http://hillsborough.ifas.ufl.edu/ ) asking for advice on how to straighten a bent over tree. I received a prompt reply with "how to" advice:

Steps for standing up trees that have fallen

1. Keep roots moist.

2. Excavate a hole to accommodate roots.

3. Use sharp tools to make clean cuts on jagged or torn

roots.

4. Pull the tree up as straight as possible, taking care to

not damage the trunk or roots.

5. Fill the hole with soil from the site, but avoid burying

the area where the trunk meets the top main root

6. Irrigate the tree with the same frequency as for newly

planted trees, approximately three times/week for

the first several months. Also, apply water during dry

periods. Do not fertilize for one year.

7. Install staking system. Remove or adjust stakes after

six months to one year.

I had been watering the tree regularly ever since we returned home. 

Inspection showed that the tree itself was not bent.  The root ball was rotated, with the side next to the street raised and the side next to the house depressed.  I dug around the root ball in order to give it space to move back.  But I could not budge it by hand.  

I hooked up the car to the tree with a heavy wire, using a length of hose to prevent the wire from digging into the tree.  In the picture below, the wire is not visible because it is so thin, but the hose is visible.

The car was easily able to pull the tree back to an upright position.

I staked the wire to the ground to prevent the tree from rotating back to the bent position, and added a couple of boards to help prop it up.

I hope I have not damaged the roots too much, and that the tree can survive.  Time will tell.