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Storm Hector Damage

Our garden has taken a bit of a battering in Storm Hector, although no doubt less than others, especially those further north (we are in Northumberland).  I'm trying to sort out what to do.  I'm fairly confident about much of it but I have two general areas of uncertainty.  I have tried Google searches but all the commentary (apart from one other post in this forum) seems to relate to winter conditions.

We have a number of different plants which have "bent".  There is no break or "kink", just a general curve in the stems.  Plants include Irises, Sambucus and Cephalaria.  Do I stake them straight, or hope that in calmer conditions they will gradually straighten out by themselves?

We have a Rowan Joseph Rock.  Checking it after the storm, it rocks (sorry - no joke intended) and I don't think it did before.  It is still standing upright.  Would it be a good idea to re-stake it or is it better just to let nature do its thing?  The tree has been in place about 6 years and was staked for the first one or two

Posts

  • BorderlineBorderline Posts: 4,700
    If you feel the tree feels unstable, you can put a stake in. It's just to keep it upright, in case there may be further storms in the next few months. It's quite common to have very heavy rain storms and strong winds in summer. Most herbaceous plants can cope and eventually literally pick themselves up when the sun returns. But in some extreme cases, you can erect sticks and tie in to guide them. This is especially for plants that have tall soft stalks. 
  • Lily PillyLily Pilly Posts: 3,845
    We are in a very windy part of deepest south Lanarkshire. Our Joseph Rock has weathered the storm. They definitely don’t rock! how old is your tree? What about giving it a good strong  support for a year, let it settle
    Weeds are flowers, too, once you get to know them.”
    A A Milne
  • Thanks to both for your comments.  Actually, I have been surprised how much the Irises have straightened themselves already.  With the Sambucus (Black Lace) I'm going to wait until the flowering is over before trimming more.

    Regarding Joseph Rock, I don't think it is unstable, just a little wobbly.  It certainly don't think it is in danger of falling over.  I had understood that staking once a tree is established would actually inhibit the the development of a strong root structure, so I am feeling tempted not to stake.

    In reply to Lily Pilly, I don't know how old the plant was when we bought it, but I guess it was about three years.  As I wrote before, it's been in 6 years so I guess its about 9 years old.
  • hogweedhogweed Posts: 4,053
    If you do decide to stake it just use a short stake. That way the top will still be free to wobble in the wind. 
    'Optimism is the faith that leads to achievement' - Helen Keller
  • Thanks Hogweed.  I'll let you know what I do - if I do anything.  At the moment I'm watching.
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