floppy arborvitae

[inchworm]

We planted an arborvitae just about a year ago. It's already about 6' tall. During an ice storm, the top flopped over. The branches aren't split, it just all hangs down one side. Any solution? Will it continue to grow in height if I top it?

Thanks,
Inchworm

 

[patandchickens]

Not much you can do except prune those branches way back (so they're not such a 'lever arm' so don't sag) and hope it regrows stronger. Which it probably won't, but there is always the chance.

If you top it mildly, it will still grow but not from a central leader and you'll have worse icestorm-splitting-flopping problems in the future. If you top it severely (like cut down to half its height or less) it may live but it'll look ugly forever.

There are several things people call arborvitae and I'm not sure which you have, but none of them are especially great trees for withstanding ice and snow without doing that sort of thing.

Good luck,

Pat