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Gardening in the UK

Pruning Magnolia Tree

18 years ago

I know that Prof. Stefan says if you need to prune a tree its in the wrong place. However, my problem is the low branches of the magnolia tree which is about 10 feet tall. When would be the best time to cut these out causing as little disturbance as possible. Thanks

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Comments (2)

shrubs_n_bulbs
18 years ago
I think that all you want to do is limb up the tree to give more clearance underneath? This is relatively straightforward and can be done now. Don't do it too late in summer because you don't want the tree to go into winter with open wounds.

Prune back to the base of the collar, but not flush with the trunk. Use one cut to remove large branches several inches from the trunk and another to trim back cleanly to the collar. Small branches can be removed in a single cut but avoid any tearing that leaves a jagged wound or damages the bark on the tree.
Kevinf
Original Author
18 years ago
Thanks for advise, another job for this weekend.
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They're leggy when grown in the shade, and dense when grown in full sun, but can handle either. No pruning will help your situation except crown thinning of your 'huge elm'. But I wouldn't recommend that because most companies that would perform such work would only mutilate your tree.
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Problem is, I have no idea what kind of pruning would be helpful. NONE ...NADA ...ZILCH... zero ... [except probably root pruning, see below] put down the shears and step away ... agree per above.. plant it and do nothing for 3 years ... every leaf is a food making machine ... and if.. on a RECENT transplant.. you go cutting off the food making machines.. how will it vigorously grow the roots it needs .. now.. check the pix at the link ... you will be hard pressed to find a plant with a single straight leader .. you guys are thinking about enforcing a preconceived notion of how it should look ... why??? this mag. is more of a shrub.. not a tree ... and i suggest you let it be what it is supposed to be... its a lot easier ... lol ... if you want a more tree like mag .. then return this one .. and get the type you want ... this is one of my faves.. just bulletproof up here in my z5 ... and after 10 years.. still only about a 4 by 4 foot shrub ... i was kinda startled by the pix at the link .. they are much bigger down south.. go figure on that ... early bloom .. mucho flowers .. a joy ... that pot looks severely root bound.. i dont know if i would have chosen that plant due to the two huge surface roots ... if you dont know what to do about that.. ask .. PROPER PLANTING , WATERING and MULCHING will be very helpful ... good luck .. try not to love it to death ... ken Here is a link that might be useful: link
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We planted one in May of 2006. It was probably 5 1/2 feet tall at the time. That fall, our lab (he was just shy of his first birthday) pruned all of the lower branches. I was so upset and was sure it was a goner. I clean-cut all of the twisted and mutilated stubs with some loppers. Here it is two years later and the bottom branches are just about caught up with the upper branches. I don't recommend this type of pruning, but apparently the Star magnolia is pretty resilient...
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