Magnolia pruniing

Discussion in 'Magnoliaceae' started by HWD, Aug 11, 2004.

  1. HWD

    HWD Member

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    Vancouver
    I have just read another posting suggesting that magnolia pruning is best done spring/summer after blossoming - presumably to give the tree plenty of time to heal before winter. I've also heard that magnolia's don't like pruning much at all......

    I want to take off a single large branch that's undamaged, but growing from quite low on the tree, to improve overall shape.

    Any hints or tips? is it too late for this year?

    Thanks!
     
  2. mr.shep

    mr.shep Well-Known Member 10 Years

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    Location:
    San Joaquin Valley, California
    Hi HWD:

    To remove an unwanted branch, that can be done almost
    anytime. Just be sure to make a nice, even, clean cut if
    you can.

    Pruning Magnolias for a desired shape or to generate more
    growth is probably best done right after the plant blooms.
    I will say that here we have not been overly successful
    cutting a branch on a deciduous Magnolia hoping to get
    more growth to come out just below our cut. In more
    cases than not all we end up doing is restrict the growth
    from the branch even more than it was instead. It is
    because of our lack of generating a response is why
    we do not recommend topping a deciduous Magnolia
    here as we will not get our desired effect of a bushier
    tree as a result. The same thing is vastly different for
    most evergreen Magnolias in which new growth can be
    generated from a desired pruning cut. I've topped and
    shaped our M. grandiflora cv. Little Gem before and it
    responded rather nicely to what I wanted it to do but I
    would not try to do that in a million years to my M.
    campbellii cv. Charles Raffill.

    Jim.
     

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