"Rob Barrett" wrote in message
...
I have an old (no idea how old), lovely clematis (Montana, I believe) that
toppled when the 5' tree stump that was supporting it finally gave way in
the wind. It's main stem is about 2" in diameter.

We're hoping to save it, building a trellis to support it.

The main problem is that it is hugely overgrown, leaving lots of tangled,
dead-looking vines in the wintertime. So we're hoping to somehow
rejuvenate it as we re-support it. It's also not obvious how we might
transfer the giant tangle onto a new trellis.

Any suggestions of how to proceed? We're wondering if it will survive a
severe pruning at this time of year (blossoms disappeared a month or so
ago). If so, we might try cutting it back to 5 or six large vines that we
can wind onto the trellis.

tia,
Rob

I had the same problem a couple of years back, just cut back to the main
stem, get rid of all the tangled bits and bobs, put in your new supports for
next year and about April ( depends where you live ) you may have to get out
there early and train them to go up there new trellis.
It worked for me.

Harry