In contrast to some other varieties sold as "pillar fruit", the columnar plum grows relatively slender and tautly upright by nature. Nevertheless, regular pruning is essential when caring for different types of columnar plums.

In order to maintain the columnar shape, the columnar plum should be pruned regularly

Why does a columnar plum have to be pruned at all?

The term columnar fruit not only suggests a particularly slender 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 vigorous growth, so that they are only of limited use as a fruit tree in a pot on the balcony. There are several reasons for pruning a columnar plum:

  • maintaining the columnar growth habit
  • the amount of the yield depends on the fruit wood
  • plant health benefits from a habit that is well ventilated and open to the sun

The best time for the cut

Similar to the "regular" plum trees, columnar plums can also be pruned at different times. Some gardeners generally prefer to prune fruit trees in winter, because then there is not only a relative "quiet" state of sap, 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 also be carried out relatively easily in the spring.

This is how you proceed when pruning a columnar plum

Basically, a columnar plum should be pruned for the first time at the earliest one year after planting. After that, the regular pruning of the leading shoot counteracts the bare trunk from below. It is particularly important with columnar plums that new side branches are shortened to about two or three eyes. Through the cut, 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" at this point, so to speak. This cutting technique is therefore also referred to as "redirecting" the shoots.

tips

Pillar plums, like other plum trees, occasionally tend to develop a competing shoot next to the leader. This should be cut out as quickly as possible to prevent the crown from breaking apart.

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Trees