why do you want to torture them.. have you tried water torture???? i quit doing it.. decided the heck with those that required such.. and when they are damaged beyond repair.. i will be done with them ... that said... if you have a lot.. get a big supply of twine.. biodegradable is best ... link below .. i dont know if that is the thickness you need.. seems to me i got about a half mile of stuff like that.. perhaps thinner for about 12 bucks 10 years back.. still havent used it up.. lol ... two peeps make it a bit easier ... one of you bend down and grab and squeeze the plant.. about a foot or two above ground .... loop around ..and tie a circle off .... release the branches.. and it should hold .... then go round and round.. up the tree.. one to 2 feet apart.. according to the branching ... the least you need to secure them all ... candy cane stripe idea ...up near the top ... where branching ends.... then double back down ... and tie off to the original loop ... or as far down as makes you happy .... dont mess to near the top.. to fragile.. and that is not where the problems arise regardless .... listen.. this isnt a straight jacket .. the only intent is to make it work as one single branch... which when all working together.. will close it up a bit.. so snow does not accumulate inside.. and drag down single branches .... you do not have to tighten it like a corset .... when lightly fastened together.. working in unison.. they are extremely resilient.. and the snow sticks to the outside ... and can be gently knocked off if it gathers deeply ... never.. ever.. tie to the tree.. or the trunk ... or you will find one dead in a few years.. where you forgot to cut the trunk free .... the biodegradable stuff helps said brain freeze also ... never took a picture of such.. so no help there .... and i dont do it anymore.. so dont hold your breath ... good luck ken BTW: i hope we are talking about only CONIFERS... since you wouldnt be doing these things to rhodies azalea.. and many other things called EVERGREENS .... Here is a link that might be useful: twine

Laura did you keep the trunk free of growth? I hear so many different opinions and just not sure what to do. My Sambukan is growing really everywhere and also on the trunk new growth. Some say leave it to strengthen the trunk and others think it would be better to keep it clean. Your tree looks beautiful and just wondering what you did??

Brian, Amy, to send the twigs, you will have to choose mature twigs with 5-6 buds, not young ones that easily bend and not woody stiff ones, remove all the leaves, wrap them as soon as possible after cutting in moist but not soggy wet paper towel ( preferably each wrapped separately) and put all together in a plastic bag, secure them with something so they are not loose in the sealed plastic bag, label the day you cut them and the variety. That is what you do, but not now, my tree is not growing and it's better to graft on to it when it starts new growth again in spring. Thanks for your kindness, I have few things from the plant world, that I can send your way :))

I have determined I need to “WIRE” the young (not brittle) but, significantly long/lengthy branches into the positions I desire them; however; I don’t see where I can come back and “Edit” my previous post so, I guess my question now is, WHAT KIND OF WIRE CAN I USE IN A PINCH? (We’re leaving town for an extended trip and I don’t have the time or ability to order anything “specialized.” Thanks in advance!