So it's almost a full 6 months since Michael devastated the panhandle. How are those of you impacted doing? The landscape of my yard is so different. Instead of my " jungle" there are wide open spaces. Plants that survived in pots that like shade must now find new homes in the yard. I'm seeing new things brought here by the wind I assume. Had to figure out birdfeeders as I lost so many trees. I've been able to outline areas with pieces of the lost trees which is nice. Some of the big footballs left are sprouting new growth so they can stay and I don't care what anyone might say. It's sad to look at my yard right now but I'm a whole lot luckier then many many people

We are not in panhandle, but im still working on getting a tree out of the yard that went down with whatever the storm was we had a couple years ago.
Hopefully a few years from now it will be better than ever. Doesnt help this year, but maybe you can find a few fun new things you never had to add.

It is positive to think about the opportunities that have opened up as a result of the storms. They are so devasting it is nice to think positively once in a while. .

Ginger, I can only imagine how hard it is to see such devastation. You just need to start over with your clean pallet, sun loving plants. I know when Charley took out all my Turkey Oaks in my front garden, we planted a live oak, much better for high winds, that was almost fifteen years ago, that oak is beautiful now, much better than those Turkey oaks were.

I guess by footballs you mean the stumps of the trees? New growth is a great sign.

Lol yes football should have been football. I'm on my phone that I'm still getting used to...don'tike it but at least I can jump on here when I can get a signal. Finally seeing hummers again! Was starting to worry about them

@gingin I saw today that Michael was now classified as a Cat 5 storm when it made landfall. It was the first one ever to get that classification I think it said. It came across the panhandle and skirted where I live. We had no damage and it mostly stayed west of us.

I read it again and it was the 4th Cat five to make landfall.

In town now didn't know my phone got more then 2 bars..lol lol

Well 9 1/2--10 months later there is life after a cat5 hurricane. The rootballs are looking great especially the china berry...it's already looking quite large and I'm happy to report new growth from at least one holly. Seeing lots of baby cedar trees do they have tap roots???or am I good to dig up some and move them out from under the power line?? a pineapple lily and blackberry lily have both survived being buried under debris and are blooming. My world still looks so very different, but loving the wildflowers that are happy that the lawn tractor isn't working

Almost got lost yesterday. Went to an area I had not been to since before the hurricane....nothing looked the same...so many landmarks gone.

Ginger, I'll always remember feeling so lost when the landmarks were gone after a devastating hurricane, it is disconcerting.
I have transplanted baby cedars, some make it and grow into huge trees and some don't but there are usually plenty of seedlings to experiment with. Good Luck.

Thanks, Alice. What i'm seeing are small enough that I can deal with them now. I certainly will give it a try and for good results

Looking around and cutting grass my landscape is so changed. Many wildflowers had gone to seed about time Michael hit and now have taken over. Thought I had gotten IDs on some but forgot names...sooo I looked at all my pics in the database .Didn't find all but what a bitter sweet trip down memory lane. Really made just how much was lost but also new things added by the winds

Ginger, if you wait for winter to transplant the baby cedars, then their chances of surviving will dramatically increase.

I am so sorry about the landmarks. That really can make one feel quite unmoored.

Thanks Ann. Some I've already put in pots and others will be marked with survey tape so I don't whack them by mistake