Broken Trees May Be Down -- But Not Out

PHILADELPHIA (CBS) - Ouch. It's never fun to see a tree get hurt in a storm, but it's not always the end of the world - or even the end of that tree. If it's not a danger to people or property, particularly younger trees should be given a second chance. Safely prune off the damage with clean cuts and let the tree mend itself. Trees form sort of a scab over wounds to contain damage, and often go on to live long, healthy lives. You see those knobs on their branches and trunks.

Years ago I read a story about a gardener with a very unusual twin-trunked tree that everyone stopped to admire. It turned out, the tree had been split in a storm when it was young and she just couldn't bring herself to cut it down. Over the decades, that tree not only survived, but grew to be the centerpiece of her landscape.

So you never know, even if one of your favorite plants really got slammed, regrets may be premature. It could well recover and grow to be one of the best things in your garden after all.

Reported By Phran Novelli, KYW Newsradio