Like all organisms on earth, trees tend to expand and increase in size. Sometimes, the size may be too big, or the shape may not be beautiful, so they need pruning.
Quick tips for pruning Magnolia:
- Prune the magnolia just after it blooms.
- Cut back branches that stick too much to the sides to get the desired shape.
- Do not cut more than 25% of the branches in one year.
- Trim the top of the magnolia to the height you want, but no more than 20 percent of its height.
- Start shaping the magnolia from a young age.
- Remove dead or diseased branches in early spring with a saw or loppers.
- Cut crossing branches to lighten the crown.
- Always use a sterile and sharp tool to prune the magnolia.
Read also: Basic Maintenance Guide for Magnolia Trees.
When to trim?
The best time to prune a magnolia is immediately after flowering. Depending on the type of magnolia and the climate, this may be spring or early summer.
In this case, you will get the blooms in the current year. In addition, the tree will also produce flower buds for the following year.
If you cut back in early spring before flowering, the number of flowers in the current year will be much lower or none at all.
If you prune in late summer or fall, you will remove the flower buds, and the magnolia will not bloom next year. For the same reason, avoid pruning in the winter.
How to shape?
In most cases, a magnolia is trimmed to give it the desired shape or to reduce its size.
The magnolia is a conical, upward-growing tree. However, the side branches often spread to the sides, blocking the path around the tree or shading other plants.
In this case, shorten the branches with a saw, loppers, or pruning shears. This is best done after the magnolia has finished flowering. By winter, the wounds will partially or entirely heal.
Avoid removing more than 25% of the branches in one year. Trim it back a little bit each year to the desired shape. Otherwise, the tree may be severely stressed and die.
You can remove a branch completely but do it as close to the main branch as possible. If it only needs to be shortened, make sure it has at least 1-2 buds left; otherwise, it will die.
Never cut back a magnolia the first year after planting or transplanting. Pruning a magnolia after transplanting will only increase the transplant shock, which can result in the loss of the tree.
Cutting the top off a magnolia
Sometimes, it becomes necessary to cut off the top of a magnolia. This usually happens if the tree is too upright. This can result in a broader canopy and reduce the tree’s height.
If you decide to do this with your magnolia, stand some distance away from it and try to imagine what it will look like after removing the top.
Do not remove more than 20% of the height of the tree. Otherwise, the magnolia will look like a bush or look unnatural.
Shortening the leading branches by a few inches and leaving a few buds on them is best. If you do this yearly, the tree will be fuller but maintain its conical shape.
Pruning lower branches
The need to remove the lower branches of a magnolia usually occurs in two cases.
The first is when the lower tier of branches is too large and covers the entire space around the magnolia. Many people want to free up this space to grow other plants or for some other purpose. This is also called crown raising.
The second case is when suckers appear on the magnolia. These branches have almost no leaves and feed on the tree without giving anything back. They are usually in the lower part of the crown and must permanently be removed.
It is also common for grafted magnolias to have branches below the grafting site. In this way, the rootstock will tend to grow back its own branches, which must be removed.
Whatever the reason for removing the lower branches, do it as close as possible to the tree trunk. But try to keep the wound as small as possible, which means you do not want to damage the trunk of the magnolia.
The best time to cut the lower branches is in early spring. By the end of the season, the wounds will be fully or partially healed, and the tree will survive the winter much better.
Use a hand saw for large branches and a pruning shear for suckers. Wounds resulting from the pruning of large branches should be treated with a multi-purpose fungicide.
Deadwood pruning
Pruning dead wood is a must because it increases the tree’s health. It is best done in early spring.
Do this a little farther back than the dead tissue begins. This is to prevent the possible spread of the infestation.
Tools and aftercare
In most cases, you will need a hand saw, loppers, and pruning shears to trim a magnolia. Ensure all tools are sharp and in good working order before pruning.
Also, they should be treated with rubbing alcohol to avoid disease contamination. Disinfect each time for a new tree.
It is good practice to dress the wounds with fungicide. A multi-purpose fungicide or a copper fungicide can be used for this purpose. This is especially important when removing large branches.
Share This Post
