Young trees planted within the last few years that  have not yet established wide root systems are most susceptible to toppling over in hurricane-force winds. But downed trees aren't necessarily a total loss. Many, particularly those under 16' in height, can be re-set after the storm passes, but homeowners should take precautions and know when to call in experts. If a tree in your yard blows over in a hurricane.

• Assess potential danger in approaching a fallen tree, looking for downed wires or limbs in overhead wires. Stay away and report any hazardous conditions.
• Remove only those limbs that are blocking access to your home or vehicle or are posing an immediate danger to people or property.
• Cover and shade the exposed rootball with burlap, old sheets, towels or several layers of newspaper and wet down thoroughly. Do not use plastic. Cover the exposed trunk and branches to prevent sun-scalding. Keep the rootball wet (for up to several weeks) while you take care of more pressing post-storm recovery activities.
• To re-set a tree, dig out a wide area on the rootball side of the tree. Protect the trunk with a cushion of towels or soft material, and pull the tree back upright into the hole. Make sure it is straight and level, sitting no higher or lower than its original grade. Fill in with half the original soil, water thoroughly to remove air pockets, then finish filling in. Water thoroughly. Do not stake the tree unless it cannot stand by itself.
• Cover the entire area under the tree with 4 to 6 inches of organic mulch, like chipped wood, and keep it watered thoroughly for the next 6 months, through the entire winter dry season. Treat it like a newly-transplanted tree, which it is.
• Broken or damaged branches should be removed by making a clean cut just outside the juncture of trunk and the branch. Some branches can be cut out for structural stability or appearance, but the remaining branches should not be shortened or sheared.

Homeowners should be wary of post-storm chainsaw amateurs who offer to top your tree or remove it hastily. If the tree is too heavy to pull up by hand and if you're tempted to hitch it to a car to pull up, it's probably too big to re-set safely by yourself and you should call in a certified arborist.

Qualified arborists can show proof of insurance for workers compensation, comprehensive and liability, and membership in professional organizations such as Florida Arborist Association, the National Arborist Association, the International Society of Arboriculture, or the American Society of Consulting Arborists. For a list of certified arborists, call the Miami-Dade County Cooperative Extension Service at 305-248-3311 ext. 228.