Question
I planted a row of 18 skyrocket Junipers several years ago that have
reached 7' in height. I have wrapped them every winter to protect against
snow damage. When I unwrapped them this spring, they tilted this way
and that. They are planted 2.5' apart so I don't think I could stake them
the normal way. I had an idea to put several 4x4 fence posts in cement
along the row of Junipers and run wires horizontally between them to
catch and attach the Junipers to. What do you think of this idea?


Answer
My general rule is to not stake a tree beyond the first growing season (no more than about 18 months)...beyond that, and the tree may become too weak to support itself.

I would leave them unstaked until the fall, and see if they straighten themselves out, first.  If they are in heavy shade, they will probably always look thin and wispy, but if they are in full sun, I would fertilize them too, as well as leaving them unstaked for a while.  

Juniper need little supplimental water, so do not overwater, as they can actually suffer from too much moisture.

If they are still leaning "this way and that" by this fall, then the fence-post & wire could be implimented.  Any LOOSE connections to the tree should be no higher than about 3 feet from the ground. Again, so that the tree has a chance to straighten itself and not be made to rely on the staking, which is really just there as a guide and to limit wip-damage by the stormy weather.

Junipers generally do not take kindly to heavy pruning, so do NOT shear them or make drastic cuts to try and balance them out.  Small nips are o.k., here and there to take care of the odd wisp of a branch.

Hope it helps ~M