Winter is here, and for many this means worrying that their Arborvitae stems will splay open in a heavy snow load. The danger about tying them up is that the rope or cord used will ultimately strangle the plant. By using this foam covered wire, however, you can bend the support around the stem without fastening it tight, allowing the plant to grow and expand without danger. This product Luster Leaf Rapiclip Heavy Duty Soft Wire Tie 857 is easy to use and gentle on the plants.
Here is how an Emerald Green Arborvitae looks when a heavy snow has pulled the multiple trunks apart. Sometimes the snow is even weighty enough to break the stems.
The soft tie can be cut with wire cutters or heavy-duty scissors.
Wrap the wire around the stem but don’t secure it around itself. This allows the tie to expand as the stem grows.
Spiral the tie up around all the stems, pulling them together gently and not too tightly. This will be hidden by the foliage so you’ll never know they are supported inside.
The splayed arborvitae that was shown in the first photo is now repaired and completely natural looking.