MARION - Almost a year after a tornado destroyed virtually everything at the Noot family farm, more than 1,000 trees have been planted.

Employees of the Barnes County Soil Conservation District last week put a weed barrier around the trees, which were planted in May.

"They had a need for trees for a windbreak," said Karen Olstad, district office manager.

Two homes, one belonging to Willie Noot and one belonging to his son Dana (pronounced Dan-ah) and Nancy Noot, were destroyed July 18 in an F4 tornado, the second highest tornado rating.

Jay Noot, also a son of Willie, lives in Marion but operated a hay-bale hauling business at the farm. The storm destroyed farm buildings, grain bins and farm equipment.

"The Noots are rebuilding their farmstead. However, it will take years for nature to cover the scars left by the devastating storm," Olstad said in a letter about the project.

While many people donated household or farm equipment, trees weren't necessarily at the top of the priority list, Olstad said. So the Barnes County Soil Conservation District decided to spearhead a project to replace the trees. Nine conservation districts, including Stutsman County, donated money and materials. A fencing company in Montana donated materials, and two North Dakota nurseries donated the trees.

The trees planted include juniper, green ash, ponderosa pine and lilac bushes. A weed barrier was put around all the trees but the lilac bushes, minimizing the need for weeding and giving the trees a better chance of survival.

Dana and his 13-year-old son Nick were on hand last Wednesday to witness the last phase of the project. Dana said having trees around the farm again will be especially nice in the winter.

"I wish they were 10 feet taller," he said with a laugh.

"I always say the best time to plant a tree is 20 years ago," Olstad said. "But the next best time is today."

Growing trees isn't the only thing that takes time as the Noots rebuild their farm. Much of the rubble has been moved away and some buildings have been replaced. Dana, Nancy and Nick Noot moved into their new home in January. Volunteers have been helping Willie rebuild his home.

While the house is not quite finished, "it's livable," Dana said.

The family probably will never rebuild or replace all the 25 buildings and 26 steel bins that were destroyed in the tornado, Dana said. A pole barn and shop have been rebuilt on the land and about 10 steel bins have been donated or purchased by the Noots to store crops. Some farm equipment has been purchased or repaired.

Rebuilding and replacing what was lost has been a lot of work.

"It was tough at first," he said.

The family just keeps putting one foot in front of the other. And a lot of people have volunteered their time or given donations to help.

"It takes time," Dana said. "It will probably take a few years."

The storm has had other lasting effects on the family. Knowing firsthand what a tornado can do means storms now make Dana nervous.

"A guy don't realize 'til it hits once," he said.

He's now more likely to take precautions during a storm.

"We've slept in the basement (of our new house) twice already (during storms)," he said.