Care for damaged arbor vitae trees - Ask Extension
Our row of approximately 12 feet tall arbor vitae trees (columnar) were severely bent by the weight of snow and ice this winter. What is the best way ...
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Care for damaged arbor vitae trees #865581
Asked April 23, 2024, 11:58 AM EDT
Our row of approximately 12 feet tall arbor vitae trees (columnar) were severely bent by the weight of snow and ice this winter. What is the best way to straighten them up again? Pruning? Staking? Some combination of the two or something else? The trees are approximately 20 years old. The ladder in the photos is six feet tall and was included for scale.
Thanks for your help
Isabella County Michigan
Expert Response
Hello,
One of the most common forms of tree damage we see from heavy snow is bending and breakage on columnar arborvitae (Photos 2 and 3). Columnar arborvitaes such as ‘Green giant,’ ‘Emerald green’ and ‘Degroot’s spire’ have become increasingly popular for use as screens and living fences – and they are excellent for these purposes. However, they don’t stand up well to heavy snow or ice loads. The best approach for dealing with this issue is to wrap trees at the beginning of winter to keep branches at the top of the tree together and upright. Some people use burlap, which also provides protection from hungry deer, but landscape wrap, heavy cloth strapping tape or even bungee cords will work. The crucial thing is to remove the wrap once spring rolls around and the threat of snow is over.
Of course, the other issue is what to do with arborvitaes once they’ve been damaged. This is typically a case-by-case call and requires some experience and judgment. Branches that are broken certainly need to be properly pruned. For branches that are simply bent, it may be possible to train them back into position. Branches tied or trained back into position will continue to produce new wood and may return to form. It is essential that ties or straps used for training are left on the tree for no more than two seasons. Training materials that are forgotten and left in place will eventually girdle branches and kill them. Lastly, if a homeowner cannot safely do the work from the ground or a small stepladder, it’s time to contact a professional arborist.
To find an arborist in your Zip Code go to this link:
https://www.treesaregood.org/findanarborist/arboristsearch
The above information with Photo 2. Bending and breakage on columnar arborvitaes, common forms of damage due to heavy snowfall and Photo 3. Heavy snowfall damage to columnar arborvitaes is at this link:
https://www.canr.msu.edu/news/act_now_to_manage_snow_damage_on_arborvitaes
I hope this helps!
One of the most common forms of tree damage we see from heavy snow is bending and breakage on columnar arborvitae (Photos 2 and 3). Columnar arborvitaes such as ‘Green giant,’ ‘Emerald green’ and ‘Degroot’s spire’ have become increasingly popular for use as screens and living fences – and they are excellent for these purposes. However, they don’t stand up well to heavy snow or ice loads. The best approach for dealing with this issue is to wrap trees at the beginning of winter to keep branches at the top of the tree together and upright. Some people use burlap, which also provides protection from hungry deer, but landscape wrap, heavy cloth strapping tape or even bungee cords will work. The crucial thing is to remove the wrap once spring rolls around and the threat of snow is over.
Of course, the other issue is what to do with arborvitaes once they’ve been damaged. This is typically a case-by-case call and requires some experience and judgment. Branches that are broken certainly need to be properly pruned. For branches that are simply bent, it may be possible to train them back into position. Branches tied or trained back into position will continue to produce new wood and may return to form. It is essential that ties or straps used for training are left on the tree for no more than two seasons. Training materials that are forgotten and left in place will eventually girdle branches and kill them. Lastly, if a homeowner cannot safely do the work from the ground or a small stepladder, it’s time to contact a professional arborist.
To find an arborist in your Zip Code go to this link:
https://www.treesaregood.org/findanarborist/arboristsearch
The above information with Photo 2. Bending and breakage on columnar arborvitaes, common forms of damage due to heavy snowfall and Photo 3. Heavy snowfall damage to columnar arborvitaes is at this link:
https://www.canr.msu.edu/news/act_now_to_manage_snow_damage_on_arborvitaes
I hope this helps!
