Q&A for How to Prune a Magnolia Tree

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My magnolia tree has developed low-hanging branches over the sidewalk. When is it safe to prune, and how much can I cut back without damaging the tree?

Community Answer

You can prune now. Cut back as much as necessary to ensure safe passage on the sidewalk.

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Question

I have a Star Magnolia tree that is growing like a bush instead of a tree. Can I cut off the bottom branches to make it look more like a tree?

Community Answer

A Star Magnolia is a large, multi-stem shrub, not a tree. However, you can prune it to achieve the shape you prefer.

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Question

Can I prune all over to keep the tree from growing too big?

Community Answer

Yes. However, if you have a southern magnolia, it's a large tree that can grow up to 80 feet tall and wide, making it a challenge to keep small.

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Is it possible to have a professional remove half of my magnolia tree, as it has blocked my view?

Community Answer

Yes, you can remove half of the tree, but it will grow back in a few years. Consider removing it and planting something smaller in your backyard.

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Can I thin out my mature magnolia, because it's too shady to grow anything underneath the canopy?

Community Answer

Yes, you can thin it out, but keep in mind that the tree will fill back in after a few years. Magnolias are known for creating dense shade.

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Can I prune a magnolia to reduce its height and make it tighter to the wall in late February?

Community Answer

You can prune a magnolia at any time. It's probably best to do half of the pruning this year and wait a year to complete the rest.

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Question

Should I trim the internal cross growth on my magnolia tree, or leave it?

Community Answer

Yes, you should remove the internal cross branches on all trees, as this will help extend the tree's life.

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Question

Should I remove the dead flowers after my magnolia blooms?

Community Answer

There is no need to remove dead flowers from a magnolia unless they really bother you.

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Question

Should I cut off the dead branches if more than half of my magnolia tree looks dead?

Community Answer

Yes, you should remove the dead branches, even if it's half of the tree. Prune carefully to allow new growth to fill in the gaps, and fertilize the tree after pruning.

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Question

Is it okay to "top" a young, short magnolia to control height?

Addison Smith

Community Answer

You can't top a Magnolia without causing damage! Magnolias are not trees that take pruning well. They tend to look really unpleasant after a major pruning, and the rapid regrowth branch structure is just as unsightly and weakly attached to the tree (usually not reliable in ice storms).

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Question

Recently I have been getting new shoots on my magnolia tree. However, the top foot or so appears dead, unsure what to do to I cut the top off 2nd season for this young tree?

Community Answer

The top of a tree looking dead is normal, but cutting the top off if it isn't actually dead can harm the tree, I suggest getting a ladder and making sure if it's dead or not before you continue to trim.

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Question

The branches on my Soulangeana Magnolia are quite long, although not thick, they are drooping a little. The tree is very healthy, so I wondered if I could support them in any way. I do not want to prune them.

Community Answer

The best thing to do is look up: How do you brace a drooping tree branch? It might not be specific to magnolia trees but still helpful.

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Question

My 10ft tall magnolia is dead except for the new shoots at the trunk’s base. Can I cut the 9.5ft off the top to enable the young shoots to grow into a new tree?

Community Answer

Most definitely, of course the trunk will be a little strange looking, but still yes.

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Question

I planted a young magnolia last year. It is 6 feet tall, no blooms yet. There is 1 main branch with a smaller parallel branch. There are 3 smaller branches coming up from ball. Should I prune these?

Community Answer

Unless they are getting in the way of something then no. Of course, an exception would be if the branch is dying or dead, in which case, cut it off immediately.

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Question

We had a hard freeze last year and all the leaves turned brown. Should I trim them now or wait?

Community Answer

Unless the branch is dead (which can sometimes be noticed by discoloration of the leaves) then don't cut them off, this is natural and most trees do this. If the branches are dead then trim the branches off. Otherwise this is normal and nothing to worry about.

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Question

Our Magnolia is so huge and close to our house (we did not plant it) and it's only causing trouble. We'd love to take all its branches off and leave the pretty trunk. Is this possible?

Community Answer

You can if you want to, but of course you are killing the tree, and you cannot forget that it will start to decay as well. It won't grow back like some trees do, it will just die. If you want the tree still alive, then no.

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Question

Sprouts coming up from the ground, should they be cut?

Ava Rosa

Community Answer

Those are new magnolia trees, you may pull them up from the root if you don't want more magnolia trees.

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Question

I have a large magnolia in the front yard close to the driveway. Do I need to trim some lower large branches so I can mow. What do I do?

Carol Rogers

Community Answer

The best time to prune a magnolia, as they don't generally like pruning, is late summer or just after the flowering has stopped. If you live where there are milder temperatures in fall, it may be suitable to do then too.

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