If you work really fast, you may be able to save those shrubs whose roots are not totally out of the ground. I righted a 10' old garden rose, two Buddleias, 2 large Porterweeds, and several large Salvias yesterday. Here's what you do: thin and cut back considerably (but wisely), work the plant back (gently) to its position and stake using strong metal (or other) stakes driven down into the ground. I use black heavy vinyl link tree chain to pull into position. Treat with SuperThrive and offer up a prayer. I've saved shrubs before. Sometimes all you have to do is to right the support (8' rose pillars, for example). On the porterweeds, all I had to do was to support the plant with a strong plant support (from Kinsman). I helped a neighbor with similarly-sized plants. The thing is, we had a cloudy day yesterday to do this in . . . today is sunny, so work really fast.
I've also righted a large Bradford Pear tree after a major downdraft knocked it to 45 degrees several years ago, but that took a block and tackle, a 4x4 steel pipe for the stake and a lot of concrete in the stake hole. We thinned and cut it back and it not only survived but thrived. It didn't budge in Ike.
I'm hoping to get help to raise back up a really gorgeous Rusty Blackhaw (rare and valuable in Houston), but as time goes by it gets less and less likely that I can get this tree back up.
Leslie
Saving Shrubs Downed by Ike
I hope you can save the Rusty Blackhaw, it is a beautiful tree.
Hope everyone AND their plants are well despite Ike.
We have some friends in Houston who had one of their trees fall down. After they cut it up and put it by their curb for pick up, they put a sign on it.
Tree for Sale.....Some Assembly required.
LOL!
LOL! Glad they can have a sense of humor in the whole mess!!
What else is there to do?
If they sit around and complain....things just get worse....and you feel crummy to boot.
If they make the best of it....and laugh at stuff....things get better AND you feel better as well.