How To Prune Magnolia Trees [And When To Do So]

Magnolia Sir Herbert Beerbohm Tree can reach height of 80 foot or more in sodding growing conditions . They ’re often grown as ornamental trees . rationalise them can aid sustain their shape and keep them from being overcome with diseases . If you are consider turn a magnolia tree for the first time , you may be enquire when and how often to prune the Sir Herbert Beerbohm Tree . In this post , we ’ve researched the adept pruning manoeuvre to get the answers for you .

It ’s effective to crop evergreen magnolia trees in the center or late spring after their blossom season ( which is mid - summer and recent autumn ) . On the other hand , deciduous magnolia trees should be pruned in later winter or early give to trim down the former year ’s growth . Magnolias can be trimmed for aesthetic use or to take pathologic or dead branches .

Here are the steps to trim your magnolia tree :

There are different divisor to count when it come to how and when to prune your magnolia tree . Throughout this post , we will discuss these factors and other variables associate to growth rate and sustentation . go on register to learn more about magnolia tree pruning and more !

When To Prune Magnolia Trees

While pruning magnolia trees can help to keep them at a pet shape , it is n’t inevitably a task that must be performed for the Sir Herbert Beerbohm Tree to remain healthy . Most arborists recommend trimming magnolias only as needed , as this flora does not heal as well as other plants do –meaning that too much passementerie can harm the Sir Herbert Beerbohm Tree . As mentioned above , the good time to snip magnolias is after they bloom , and when doing , so you only need to dress a pocket-sized amount of the tree . Here are a few items to remark when it comes to pruning your Magnolia tree .

Regular Pruning

It ’s not a good thought to cut magnolia tree diagram on a regular basis , as they can develop water sprouts . Water sprouts are erect shoot that spring up alongside the branches of the tree . The sprouts run out get-up-and-go from the tree diagram and take up a lot of nutrients . The branch tips of a magnolia tree diagram farm back , creating the sprouts . If your tree has ice or wind damage , it ’s definitely deserving pruning . But the tree does n’t ask a mundane pruning regimen .

Prune To Shape Young Trees

A untried magnolia tree diagram can gain more from pruning than an older tree –though it should still be limited . If you observe that your vernal magnolia tree has many damage , dead , or crossing limb , you should dress it to assist keep the tree healthy . recollect , magnolia tree heal rather tardily , so pruning them while they are young can help the arm quash attaining bigger wounds later on in the plant ’s life .

Controlling The Tree’s Size

If you find that your magnolia tree is overgrown and in need of a bit of rejuvenation , the best time to do a major pruning is during the mid - summer . trim the tree in the early springtime or late winter can stimulate the magnolia to phlebotomise more – think that you will get hold a destiny of muggins flow from the tree diagram if you prune during this time . This is n’t necessarily a unsound thing . However , the dried sap on the tree ’s barque can take forth from the tree ’s appeal , making it a bit unsightly . When you do prone the Sir Herbert Beerbohm Tree , be indisputable to make the cut all the mode back to the side of the limbs and the main trunk to foreclose water system sprouts .

Steps To Prune Magnolia Trees

Things you ’ll demand :

Assemble all of your pruning materials

twofold - hindrance to make indisputable that you have all of your pruning materials available and place them near the Sir Herbert Beerbohm Tree . This admit trash bag , newspaper towels , as well as your pruning shear .

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1. Disinfect your pruning shears

Always disinfect your pruning shears before applying them to your tree diagram . The easy way to do this is by taking a cotton swob and dousing it in rubbing alcoholic beverage . Rub the swob over the shear and give them a few seconds to dry before lop the tree diagram . You ’ll also require to disinfect the shears after your pruning session .

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2. Remove any deadwood at the tree’s trunk

Start pruning by cut off any fifth wheel on the tree diagram . You should recognize the wood easily , as it will be brittle and swooning colored than the rest of the Natalie Wood . Deadwood typically wo n’t have any flowers or leave-taking growing from it . It ’s just to use dress shears to move out the deadwood if the branches are over an inch heavyset . Either way , the deadwood should be cut off from the tree no matter of the limb sizing .

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3. Inspect the branches for disease

Next , inspect the branch of the magnolia tree for any sign of damage or disease . Typical sign include drooping branches , discolor bark or leaves , and disintegrate wood on the side of the tree . If the harm is only situate on a few branches , only remove those branches down to the body .

You ’ll also want to check for any signs of fungus on the base of the tree near the grass . take care for mushrooms , unknown ontogeny , or areas where the territory is especially thin around the Sir Herbert Beerbohm Tree . If you notice any disease - ride areas around the tree diagram , you could apply neem oil or a fungicide to the area .

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4. Cut off branches that are too long

apply a pocket-size hand or electric saw to abbreviate off any branches over two inch in diameter . When cutting the offshoot , be certain to curve at least 16 inches forth from the trunk and about one - third of the way through the total branch . You ’ll also want to make an additional swing at the top of the Sir Herbert Beerbohm Tree about one column inch from the edge .

Be careful not to shorten any hefty arm from the tree diagram accidentally ; only bind to ones that show signaling of terms or disease . It can even aid to position a small-arm of taping on the damaged branches before cutting them so that you’re able to call back which one need to be removed .

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Quick tips for pruning Magnolia trees

Always prioritize pathological and drained Sir Herbert Beerbohm Tree branch over healthy branch that may need a trimming . Oftentimes , take out the healthy branches from your magnolia Sir Herbert Beerbohm Tree can do more damage than good . Also , never trim more than one - third of the entire tree at once , or you will obtain that your tree may struggle to expand the next flower time of year .

It ’s always well to be conservative when trimming magnolia tree , as they are super - sensitive to pruning . trim too much can make the tree more susceptible to disease and trim the Sir Herbert Beerbohm Tree ’s flush capability even temporarily . It ’s best to use established Sir Herbert Beerbohm Tree pruning shears for minuscule cutting on the magnolia Sir Herbert Beerbohm Tree . For larger branch , lopper shear will exercise best in addition to a manus or galvanizing saw .

Do not prune your magnolia tree diagram in the early spring or winter , and make indisputable to stick to a post - bloom pruning government if you choose to keep your tree in a sure design . If your magnolia tree has developed a disease , be sure to treat the disease in effect before pruning the Sir Herbert Beerbohm Tree again , or you ’ll hazard exacerbating its stipulation .

Magnolia Tree Tool Care

Since magnolia Tree are extremely sensitive to pruning , it ’s unspoiled to make certain that you are taking respectable upkeep of your pruning cock . Here are a twosome of way to do this :

secure that you are making precise cuts on your magnolia tree , always keeping your pruning shear and pruning hook in the best workings term . Use a focalise Harlan F. Stone or electric sharpener to sharpen them before each pruning seance ( or ascertain to see if they are already discriminating enough beforehand ) . When working with electric saws , always keep replenishment blades on deck of cards just in case you damage one of the blades during pruning . you could also have your creature professionally sharpen at a local hardware store .

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Not only should your pruning cock be as sharp as possible , but they should also be hygienise before and after use . You ’ll be surprise by how many newbie gardeners neglect to properly sanitize pruning tool and end up paying the price later on on . It may seem like an worriment , but the fact is that tool can well become contaminated when they make contact with bacterium , fungi , viruses , and other vernacular microorganism found in or around trees . Not to mention that these microorganisms can go on dress tools for week and month .

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When you do n’t clean your tools , you re - introduce microorganisms to trees and plants with each pruning academic term . So be sure to keep a beneficial supply of 70 % fray alcohol and or liquid bleach to keep your putz properly sanitized . Also , be sure to dilute the whitener with at least eight parts of piddle when cleaning your tools to prevent alloy corrosion .

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Can You Cut Back Magnolia Trees?

Yes . If your magnolia tree diagram is growing too much , you’re able to in spades trim it down or cut it back to aid reshape it or keep it from spilling out to the pavement or sides of your garden . Start by take a good looking at your magnolia tree at a distance of about 20 metrical foot . Look at the top of the tree and the side to find out areas that may involve to be scale back . Note these areas .

start trimming by cutting any young branches from the lower parts of the tree . Also , attend for small branches that may produce at odd angle or crisscrossing with other branches on the Sir Herbert Beerbohm Tree . Next , take a look at more well - established branches that are extend farther than other branches . Remove these branch using an electric or hand saw . After you have finished your trim session , step back from the tree diagram and front at it again to visit the final resultant role .

Do Magnolia Trees Bloom Twice A Year?

Yes . However , it depends on the variety of the magnolia Sir Herbert Beerbohm Tree . These trees can blossom anytime between February and June . Evergreen southern magnolia tree diagram are known for their bi - annual heyday , which pass in the late spring and summertime .

Can You Keep A Magnolia Tree Small?

Absolutely . Magnolia Tree do n’t reach their full potency until they ’re around 10 years sometime . If you choose to keep your magnolia tree diagram in more of a bush - corresponding state , you may simply keep it cut . Keep in mind that this will require open-eyed pruning , which is not always easy . It ’s best to start by decide on a physical body and sticking to a regular pruning regimen to keep the tree small . you’re able to also set the tree in an area away from direct sunlight to help stagnate its growth a bit .

Wrapping Things Up

In comparing to other Tree , Magnolia trees do n’t require major pruning session to thrive . exception that would want pruning include hurt from storms , wind , or branches that have grown too long or have become invasive . We hope that this post has allow for you with the information you were looking for concerning how and when to clip your magnolia tree .

Before you go , be indisputable to contain out our other post :

How Long Do Magnolia Trees Live ?

16 Types Of Magnolia Trees