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In contrast to the normal hornbeam, the columnar hornbeam remains much narrower. It is therefore often planted as a single plant or as a border of a garden path. Cutting is not absolutely necessary. If the hornbeam has become too high, you can also cut it back more.
The columnar hornbeam is perfect for cutting into a cone shape
When should a columnar hornbeam be pruned?
If you have enough space, simply let the columnar hornbeam grow. The tree remains narrow even in old age and has a slightly pyramidal habit.
Naturally growing columnar hornbeams come into their own when they are not in the immediate vicinity of other trees.
If you plant columnar hornbeams as an avenue tree, you should occasionally use scissors and prune them. Then the avenue will look neater.
The best time to cut
To heavily prune a columnar hornbeam, wait until February. Hornbeams are generally not cut in autumn. Choose an auspicious day to prune your columnar hornbeam:
- frost-free at least 5 degrees
- dry
- not too sunny
You should not cut the hornbeam in frost, as the interfaces then freeze. The humidity must not be too high, so a dry day is better. Prune columnar hornbeam in the early morning before the sun is too strong. Don't forget to water the hornbeam well afterwards.
During the year, only cut back the hornbeam slightly if absolutely necessary. Remove diseased branches continuously. From the end of August you should leave the tree alone.
Cut columnar hornbeams into shape
Like all hornbeams, columnar hornbeams are very tolerant of pruning. Even if you cut them back heavily, they will reliably sprout again.
You can therefore cut the trees very well into shape. Cone shapes are popular, in which the tree tapers towards the top and is somewhat reminiscent of a fir tree.
In principle, the columnar hornbeam can be cut into almost any shape. Even if you want to design an avenue with square trees, that's no problem with columnar hornbeams.
tips
Columnar hornbeams grow a little slower than normal hornbeams. They increase in height by 10 to 40 centimeters per year. They can live up to 150 years.