'Moraine' and 'Worplesdon' sweetgums weren't damaged here (N of Detroit), but 'Happidaze', 'Cherokee', and Chinese sweetgums ('Burgundy Flush' & 'Blush) all had bud/tip/twig damage (in some cases severe). We saw low temps in the -12F to -15F range, but above average snow cover through much of the cold weather probably helped protect some trees that would otherwise have been damaged. I didn't notice any significant damage this spring on southern tuliptrees, but a Chinese tuliptree planted last spring (fairly exposed location) was killed to the ground. My Poliothyrsis (planted 4 years ago) was also killed. 'Wildfire' blackgum had bud/tip dieback, while 'Forum' and 'Red Rage' did not.

Thanks so much for the quick response. First off, the tree is not at risk - it has done this for years. Yes, this tree is locally called a Tulip Magnolia. Its blossoms look like magnolias; large and waxy white and purple tinges. This is not the big magnolias I grew up with, but a relatively delicate thing (about the size of a dogwood or peach, both of which we also have) with big blooms. My yard also has apple, oak, maple, cherry, tulip poplar, weeping willow and some other trees, none of which behave like this. It's definitely triggered by weather changes, and going into shock ( like forcing blooms in paperwhites). I blame human tampering for the behavior, as I know enough basic science to know plants bloom for a reason and it wouldn't half bloom or bloom and then immediately die if conditions were right for it, and it was as nature intended. It takes a lot of energy to bloom, and winter is when plants need to conserve energy. It has done this all but the first year we lived here (so for 15 years), and it does it (buds) just before every weather change that causes a temperature drop. It usually goes ahead and blooms, but the blooms are dreadful - look like used toilet paper. We only get to see its beautiful true blooms on rare occasions ( some years not at all). We do get regular freezes, though it is usually too wet for snow (so we get ice instead). We get, typically, one or two light snows a year (last year we got 6" in one day - that was very unusual). Around the base of this tree we have crocus and paperwhites, which bloom beautifully in the same conditions. Thanks, for the link. I'll check it out. Laurel

Get it out of there. Removing the plastic could expose some roots, but I really don't think a little air and water are going to cause them any harm. I would put some pine bark mulch there instead. You'll run more risk of damaging the tree roots if you start digging holes to plant stuff around it.

a pic or two.. would get you the best advice ... a little hindsight... you should have bought them.. already in that form ...it easy to maintain one in said shape.. but.. as you are finding .... its hard to battle back to a single trunk.. once the plant already has too many trunks ... and chance you want to just call a do over.. perhaps move these out back or something??? pruning for shape or form... is a lifelong chore .... not something you might accomplish in a season or two ... so just make a 10 year plan.. and keep at it ... and you should be able to succeed ... ken ps: using the proper latin name usually leads you to the best advice ... i think you are referring to what i might call a saucer magnolia ... but im not sure.. though im not sure it matters re: pruning ... we should be able to ID it with a few pix ... ta da .. full circle ... lol ..