We have several mature grapevines on an arbor made with welded metal pipes. During the summer the weight of the vines collapsed and ruined the arbor. ...
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Collapsed grapevines #923187
Asked December 30, 2025, 12:01 AM EST
We have several mature grapevines on an arbor made with welded metal pipes. During the summer the weight of the vines collapsed and ruined the arbor. Now that it is the dormant season I can see the damage better. Before I prune and/or reconstruct, I am interested in knowing if you have any advice on how to save these vines or best manage pruning (i.e., to get them off the arbor so we can remove it)? Would they survive having the mature branches (that I normally wouldn’t prune) sawed off? Do you have any advice on reconstructing the arbor? Thank you for your time and any information you can give me. I appreciate it very much.
Lane CountyOregon
Expert Response
Luckily grapevines survive a heavy pruning tho it may take a year to reestablish. If you can untangle as much as possible the pruning is easier. As to redoing the support system, that will probably be more difficult. Try to separate vines and structure as much as possible, then prune the arbor to separate them. Good luck with this project. Feel free to contact me again if necessary.