Can a nectarine tree survive being bit in half?

Question:My dog got loose and bit my nectarine tree in half. It was about 5 feet tall and produced it's first fruit this spring. It is now about 2 feet tall. Should I replace it, or does it have a chance of survival and producing fruit?

Answers:
There's a chance of survival. I don't know much about nectarines but grow lots of trees at my place. Consider letting it stay awhile. It may sit there in shock for a month or so, then start trying to grow. Maybe talk to a garden shop person about whether to fertilize or not. Take care of it like you did when it was all there--watering and whatever. If it comes back it will look lots different. It might come from the trunk, growing branches from just below the cut off place, or it could come up from the ground at the base. At that point, let it grow awhile then start trying to shape it back into a more natural tree shape. Pick one branch to be the leader, and trim others, unless you want it to look like a bush. Maybe get a book, like from the public library, about fruit tree pruning.
It is also important to know whether the tree is grafted or not. If it is grafted and growing up from the root in the ground, then you have the 'stock' tree and not the nectarine part. Might not ever have fruit, but might make a nice tree anyway. If you can contact where you bought it, they'd know.
If you have the space, money and time, I'd buy another tree and plant it, just to make sure I get a nice tree.
Oh, just as a note, give your dog some chew toys! Live well.