An elder tree as a standard tree looks extremely decorative due to the overhanging branches. This growth habit is also more practical for harvesting. You can find out here how easy it is to train the pruning-friendly tree into a standard tree.
How do you train an elderberry to be a standard tree?
To train an elderberry to become a standard tree, choose a straight branch as the trunk, remove competing shoots, cut off side shoots to the desired crown height and secure the main branch with a support post. In the future, remove all shoots at the base and shape the crown with regular pruning.
Step by step to the high trunk
Experience shows that raising an elderberry is more successful at a young age than at an older age. In principle, it is possible in every phase of life thanks to its compatibility with pruning. Particularly in small gardens, hobby gardeners have struggled over the years with the increasing volume of black elderberry, so raising it to a standard tree is a sensible alternative to clearing. Here's how to do it:
- select a centrally positioned, straight branch as the trunk
- remove all competitive shoots at the base
- cut the side shoots to the desired crown height
- secure the main branch of a young elderberry with a support post
In the following period, all shoots that sprout from the base are consistently removed. Ideally, you should tear out these branches, as in this case there will be less residue left on the bark. In addition, all side shoots that appear as growth continues are cut off.
Shape a beautiful crown with the right cut
Since an elder always bears its flowers and fruits on two-year-old wood, the shape and maintenance pruning is carried out immediately after the harvest. At a later date, you run the risk of prematurely depriving yourself of next year's harvest. With careful pruning, you not only create a harmonious crown, but also improve the vitality of the elder tree. This is how it works:
- the weather is dry and slightly overcast
- the cutting tool is freshly ground and disinfected
- completely cut off all dead wood and stunted branches
- shorten the harvested branches to the desired length
- prune fruit shoots that are too long, only trim them a little if necessary
- Make each cut 3-5 mm diagonally above a bud
It is desirable to arrange the side branches as symmetrically as possible, with a roof angle being formed at the top. In order to achieve this sap balance, the experienced hobby gardener takes a few steps back every now and then and plans the further cutting.
Tips & Tricks
Experienced hobby gardeners do not allow branch stubs to develop. These 'coat hooks' open the door to cunning pests and fungal spores. A cut just in front of the branch ring is ideal so that the bark is not damaged.
