In our video meeting one guy told us how he uses wire to spread two branches apart. He cuts a thick piece of wire with pointed ends, and sticks the points into the branches, spreading the two apart.

You can leave the wire in for years and you only have two little holes to heal up, not long wiring scars from leaving the wire on too long.

It works for spreading roots apart, too.

Interesting, will give it a try

cork stops of wine bottles, works very well and leaves no trace

FrankC wrote: cork stops of wine bottles, works very well and leaves no trace

Yup...

I have done that also used chopstick.