[Stonehenge]

We recently transplanted a couple larger Arborvitae, and last night we had lots of rain and wind, and I heard from the client that both were no longer vertical. They each had a meaty rootball, but it wasn't enough to keep them upright.

I'm at a bit of a loss as to how to stake these two, as each has about 5-7 stems.

How would you hort pros go about staking something like this?

[trees]

Pick the biggest stem and stake as usual using that one.

By no means use different stems, because a big wind comes along and now you have 3 different arborvitae to contend with. Not exactly the sort of propagation you want

[jwholden]

I would take some arbortie and wrap it around several stems. If I thought heavy snow or wind may be a problem I would put a wrap of arbortie or wire surrounded by hose inside of the tree out of sight.

Your goal is not to eliminate all movement. Let the tree have a little sway so it knows to build roots to hold against the wind. Put your stakes in a triangle pattern.