The columns with groove are common and important components in traditional Chinese multi-storey wooden structures such as Yingxian wooden pagoda. In this paper, the mechanical performances of the two kinds of columns with different grooves (straight and cross grooves) under the horizontal loads in different directions are evaluated by the finite element software ABAQUS. The force-displacement curves and deformation of the columns with two kinds of groves are discussed. It is shown that the stress and deformation of the column limbs obviously vary with the different direction of the horizontal load. The column with a straight groove at the column foot presents better lateral resistance under horizontal loads applied along the D-90 (perpendicular to the length of the groove) direction. The lateral resistance of the column under the horizontal load along the D-45 (at a 45° angle to the length of the groove) direction is the largest than that under the loads along other directions. Besides, the lateral resistance of the column is also determined by the contact area between the column limbs and the Fangs. The size of this contact area is directly related to the groove form. Moreover, the lateral behavior of a column with a groove at the column foot is closely related to the cross-section moment of inertia calculated according to the cross-section of the column limbs. The research results may serve as reference for the reinforcement and restoration of traditional wooden structures with such columns.