Help for Leaning Arborvitae Trees
The evergreen arborvitae sometimes grows as tall as 30 feet, producing greenery that deer and other wildlife enjoy eating. It is a hardy tree and thrives in areas where there is heavy snowfall. In a such a climate, an arborvitae is at risk of damage. A particularly heavy snow storm sometimes makes the arborvitae lean to one side, either from the wind or from the weight of snow and ice. Correct the lean for a more attractive arborvitae. Does this Spark an idea?
Instructions
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1
Cut a point on one end of a 2-by-2 wooden stake that is about 2 feet long. Make a notch across one side of the stake a few inches from the other end.
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2
Place the stake a few feet away from the tree on the opposite side from the way the tree is leaning. Angle the stake away from the tree, with the notch facing away from the tree. Push or pound the stake about a third of the way into the ground.
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3
Cut an old garden hose the length you will need to fit around the trunk of the leaning arborvitae.
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4
Cut a length of coated clothesline wire to fit around the trunk of the arborvitae plus a few extra feet for anchoring.
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5
Run the coated clothesline wire through the length of garden hose with several inches of wire coming through the other end.
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Wrap the length of garden hose around the arborvitae trunk. Twist the protruding few inches of wire back around itself several times to secure the hose and wire.
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Pull gently on the wire to bring the arborvitae back into line. Wrap the wire around the stake, making sure that the wire is seated in the notch. This keeps the wire from slipping off the stake.
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8
Twist the wire back around itself to secure it to the stake.
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Tips & Warnings
The length of old garden hose protects the trunk of the arborvitae from damage from the wire, since there is tension in the wire as it holds the tree in line.
The older the tree and the longer it has been leaning, the more difficult it is to correct a lean.
If only a branch is leaning, coax it back into line with a length of cotton rope, securing one end to the trunk and another end to a strong section of branch. For a stronger hold, run the rope in a figure eight, first around the trunk, then the opposite way around the branch, repeating once or twice before ending back where the rope begins and tying it off.
Some arborvitae trees are too damaged to correct. Either accept the lean or, if there is danger of the tree falling over from excessive winds or from snow or ice accumulation, remove it.
If the arborvitae is particularly large, use a bigger stake.
