Question: My new tree tilted in a windstorm. Can I stake it to get it vertical again, and, if so, how long must I leave it staked?

Answer: Staking is a preventive process, not curative. Once a tree has tilted you need to reset its entire soil ball, even if that means digging it and replanting it. Once the trunk has been set at vertical again, then you can use stakes to keep it that way. Leave it staked at least one year, perhaps two or three. Your best indicator of when you can remove the stakes will be in how quickly it starts growing vigorously. Wait for that evidence that it’s establishing.