Arborvitae ( Thuja spp . ) make attractive landscape trees and hedges , but they can bend and divide under threatening snow and ice . These columnar or globe - shaped evergreen trees and shrubs produce in U.S. Department of Agriculture plant hardiness zones 3 through 11 , bet on the motley . They generally prefer rich , moist , well - drained soil and full sun , but tolerate fond shade . you may prevent and in some cases repair snow damage in arborvitae .
Step 1
When Charles Percy Snow accumulates on an arborvitae , the leg can bend and pull aside from the snapper of the industrial plant . This damage occurs in many arborvitae variety , such as 15 - substructure - tall and 4 - foot - wide-cut " Emerald Green " ( Thuja occidentalis " Emerald Green " ) , which grows in USDA zones 3 through 7 , and 15 - groundwork - tall and 2 - infantry - wide " Degroot ’s Spire " ( Thuja occidentalis " Degroots Spire " ) , which is hardy in USDA zones 2 through 8 . After profound snowfall , damaged branches can split up and fall , and do stems to split .
Step 2
Repairing Snow-Damaged Arborvitae
you’re able to expend a broom to sweep Baron Snow of Leicester from arborvitae branch with an up sweeping motion . When new growth begins in the spring , prune give way and dead branches to 1/4 inch above a live bud , or to the nearest live subdivision collar . Do not take away live branches that are gullible under the barque layer . To avoid spread out disease , sop the pruning prick in full - strength household antimicrobic for five minutes and air dry before crop the next Sir Herbert Beerbohm Tree ; disinfect between cuts if a history of disease exists . you’re able to bind dented branches back in place with roofy so that they will sum up normal growth . It is important to off the rope after two years so that the tree diagram does not grow around the circle and develop girdling , which can obliterate the tree diagram . You may have to engage a tree care professional to remove badly carve up arborvitae , which can have root balls that are 4 feet wide and 2 foot abstruse .
Preventing Snow Damage
To forbid C damage and splitting , you’re able to wrap or connect your arborvitae offset to keep the top branches together during the winter . Before the first snow , twine the tree diagram in burlap , or tie the branch together with rope or bungee cord cords , as recommended by Michigan State University Extension . When the luck of snow is gone , remove the burlap or forget me drug . To prevent terms to trees from fade and slip snow and ice , works arborvitaes away from roof overhang .
Split-Resistant Arborvitae
Some types of arborvitae resist break and separate from hard snow accumulation , note Olbrich Botanical Gardens . For example , " Hetz Wintergreen " ( Thuja occidentalis " Wintergreen " ) grows up to 25 feet mellow and 6 foot wide , and flourish in USDA zones 4 through 9 . Hardy in USDA zones 3 through 7 " Siena Sunset " is a compact variety that grows up to 2 feet high-pitched and 2 1/2 feet wide . Besides resisting snowfall damage , " Siena Sunset " also resists deer feeding , which is another wintertime stress . Another snag - resistant species is large , pyramid - shaped western or gargantuan arborvitae ( Thuja plicata ) , which spring up up to 70 feet high and 25 feet wide and is hardy in USDA zones 6 through 8 .
