I don't have a lot of experience with this, but my instinct is that it may be better not to stake the trees. Trees bend to the wind so the wind does not break them. If you stake them, you may do more damage because as the wind pushes the tree, the bark or even the entire tree can be strained against the wire with which you have staked it . Some things that may help if you are prepared and safe in all other areas: 1.you could prune buds blooms off any shrubs ( the rose lilac etc) You can prune down the blueberries blackberries and even the trees so there is less for the wind to catch. 2. You don't mention where you are, other than zone 5 NE, but you said the magnolia has defoliated. Since my magnolias are just in the process of losing their leaves, but I am zone 4 central NH, I am going to assume a seasonal similarity. If you can, bring the magnolia into the garage, or inside. If it is heavy and its worth it to you you can usually rent a dolly at the hardware store that makes moving large pots easier. 3. If things are going dormant for winter where you are, as I am assuming, you can cut back any perennials. Even if they are still green, they will be going dormant before they can send out new growth - so its okay to cut them back a little earlier than you planned. 4.If you winter prune your fruit trees, you can do that now to limit wind damage. The risk is that the winter will be bad and freeze the new cuts - but my guess is that is a pretty low risk. Depending on how the forecasts progress I may do this step myself. (I have already cut back all perennials in my garden and in my customers gardens) 5. If I am correct that you are in the NE, I would also prepare for heavy wet snow. ANything you would do in your region to prepare for that I would recommend doing. Except maybe wrapping shrubs. I drove through Vermont several times this summer, and the devastation there from hurricane Irene is tremendous. The mountains funneled the torrential rains, flooding streams, rivers towns and roads. I took some pictures intending to post them for discussion; maybe this is timely, but I will start a new thread. We could also call this Hurricane Kelsey: My daughter Kelsey is flying from santiago chile to miami tonight and then to Boston tomorrow after 3 months away. The path of the hurricane is threatening her flights and I think she will be pretty upset to go from spring in Chile, completely miss fall and land in Winter here. Whatever, I just can't wait for her to get home!!

I do live in an apt. I was going to put it in the ground, but since I will be moving, and will not have a place to put it in the ground, in the pot it will stay. However I will pot it up the size to the larger pot. I may leave it on a balcony for the winter this winter if I am still in the area. I am planning a probable move to Florida though, so really I only need it to survive until that time. They are damn hardy palms, and this one really showed that this winter. My goal was really only to keep the roots from freezing, and it appears that I have done just that, as it is now pushing up its 4th new leaf of the season. With a little luck, it will make it through whatever cold we have this winter, and move on with me to a place where it wont have any troubles at all in FLA. =o)

Here are some ideas from a previous thread. Here is a link that might be useful: nesting

I love your outdoor stone wall. The house looks dark and dreary though. I actually wondered if it was raining when the picture was taken, but the sky looks fairly blue. Anything you can do to add some color? Potted flowers? Portions of your house are fantastic, and other parts, not-so-much. You can alleviate some of the dated feel by removing bedroom pics. I think this pic looking dated is due to the bar stools. Without them, or with mission-style stools, the bar area would look better. In this picture, I'd close the door and remove the stand and picture. The foyer will show nicely with the marble floor alone. In this picture the fireplace is outstanding. The mantel decor is not. Get rid of the pictures and doilies and put a couple of vases or candle sticks of staggered height on one end and retake the photo. There are so many things wrong with this picture I'm not sure where to start. Remove the afghan. It adds to the "gramma" feel. The bookcases look like you didn't have enough books to fill them. Steinmart offers cheap vases, faux books, vases, etc that you could judiciously place to bring positive attention to the shelves. No Steinmart? Try TX Maxx, Tuesday Morning, Target or any other cheapie store. Your staircase is not a highlight. I looked at and wondered how I'd put in a sturdier railing where there is one, and how I'd install one where it is missing. Remove that pic. Does your decking look as bad as the little I can see between the massively overgrown bushes hints that it does? (Out by the slider) I'm not going to touch the kitchen for a critique because I think the reaction is either "love it!" or "hate it!". Unlabeled pictures do not help. I wondered what some of the rooms were. Your house looks like the Realtor mixed up two listings pictures. On the one hand, some rooms are completely redone and beautiful. Other rooms show wear and tear that makes the house seem old and uncared for. The outside of the house sports a wonderful back deck but little curb appeal. Are you appealing to the professionals, hunters, seniors? Who? Pick one style and go with it. Remove some of the pictures that add nothing to your listing, retake others that are just plain bad and update the listing to entice prospective buyers to come out and see your house. littlebug5 :How do you think my realtor did? xamsx: Lousy.