Why does a columnar plum have to be cut at all?
The term column fruit not only suggests a particularly slim growth habit, but is also automatically understood by many gardeners as an indication of a relatively compact size. With the right care and in a suitable location, columnar plums show quite vigorous growth, so that they are only partially considered as a fruit tree in a pot on the balcony. There are several reasons for pruning a columnar plum:
- the preservation of the columnar habit
- the amount of the yield depends on the fruit wood
- Plant health benefits from a well-ventilated habit that is open to the sun
also read
- Different varieties of columnar plum
- Cut a column apricot properly
- How to cut column fruit correctly - pruning care tutorial
The best time to cut
Similar to the “regular” plum trees, columnar plums can also be cut at different times. Some gardeners generally prefer to cut fruit trees in winter, because then not only is there relative “sap calm”, but also the branches without leaves are much clearer in front of the gardener's eyes. However, plum trees tolerate pruning better if this is done in June. Nevertheless, certain corrective cuts or the removal of water shoots can be made relatively unproblematic in spring.
Here's how to go about pruning a columnar plum
Basically, a columnar plum should be cut for the first time one year after planting at the earliest. Thereafter, the regular cut of the main shoot counteracts the bare of the trunk from below. With columnar plums, it is particularly important that new side branches are shortened to about two or three eyes. By cutting, these develop particularly well into so-called fruit wood by the following year, so that the yield of a tree can be significantly increased. Also make sure that cuts are always made close to a pair of eyes, so that the shoots are “redirected” to a certain extent at this point. This cutting technique is therefore also linguistically referred to as “redirecting” the shoots.
Tips
Column plums, like other plum trees, occasionally tend to develop a competing shoot next to the leading shoot. If possible, this should be cut out quickly to prevent the crown from breaking apart.
