How to Prune a Magnolia Tree

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Magnolias are beautiful but dense trees that can grow to magnificent heights. It may be tempting to prune back an overgrown magnolia, but generally, magnolias don’t respond well to heavy pruning. In fact, removing too many branches can result in stress, cause suckers, and make the tree susceptible to disease. If you need to remove unsightly or dead branches, do it in spring or summer after the first bloom. Otherwise, avoid removing too many branches to protect your tree from disease and damage.

Part 1
Part 1 of 3:

Removing Dead and Diseased Branches

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  1. With magnolia trees, removing healthy, if unattractive, branches may cause more harm than good. You should never prune more than 1/3 of the tree at once, so always start with branches that are either dying or already dead. [1]
    • When in doubt, be conservative with what you trim. Magnolias are very sensitive to pruning. Over-pruning can damage the tree, reduce blossoms the following year, and make the tree more susceptible to disease.
  2. Depending on your climate and variety, this could be in spring or summer. The time after the first bloom is the only time you should do any significant pruning on your magnolia tree. [2]
    • Do not prune in winter or early spring, as the tree may not produce any blossoms the following year. The tree will also be more susceptible to disease.
    • If you notice a diseased branch at a different point in the season, you may remove it to try to control the disease. Be warned, however, that this can damage the tree or make it susceptible to other forms of disease. Try treating the disease before pruning it.
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  3. Wipe down the shears with rubbing alcohol, and wait a few seconds until it dries. If you are pruning multiple trees or plants, disinfect the shears in between each one. [3]
  4. Deadwood is brittle, and it often does not produce leaves or flowers, even when the rest of the tree is in bloom. It may also be a slightly different color than the rest of the tree. Use lopping shears to remove the branch about 1 in (2.5 cm) away from the trunk. [4]
    • Deadwood should be removed, no matter how big or small the branch is.
  5. Discolored leaves and bark, drooping branches, or decaying wood can all be signs of disease. If the disease is limited to 1 or 2 branches, remove the branches where they meet the trunk. [5]
    • If you have cankers (dead open spots) or other signs of disease on the main trunk of the tree, it may be too late to treat it. Get an arborist to inspect your tree. In many cases, you may need to remove the entire tree.
    • Common diseases for magnolias include verticillium wilt, fungal leaf spot disease, or algal leaf spot. In addition to removing the diseased branches, you may also need to apply a fungicide or neem oil.
  6. Make a cut under the branch about 18 in (46 cm) away from the trunk. Only cut about 1/3 of the way through the branch. Make a second cut on the top of the tree about 1 in (2.5 cm) farther out. If the branch falls while you're removing the branch, these cuts will protect the tree, particularly the bark, from damage.
    • Once you have made these cuts, you can remove the branch just above the branch collar. Leave about 1 in (2.5 cm) above the branch collar to protect the tree.
    • The only time you should be removing branches this large is if they are dead or showing signs of disease. Do not remove large, healthy branches, as it could damage the tree, resulting in water suckers.
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Part 2
Part 2 of 3:

Controlling Growth

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  1. While you probably won't be able to control the shape of the tree, you can occasionally remove the younger branches to prevent overgrowth. Look for branches lower down on the tree that are around 1–2 in (2.5–5.1 cm) in diameter. [6]
    • Look for branches that are growing at an odd angle or which are crossing with other branches. These are good candidates to remove.
    • Well-established branches or branches high on the tree should only be removed if they are dead or diseased. Removing large, healthy branches can damage your tree and prevent flowers from blooming.
    • Because magnolias are so sensitive to pruning, it is a good idea to space out any major reshaping or trimming over the span of 2-3 years. While this requires a bit of waiting, the results will be worth it in the long run.
    • You can prune healthy branches immediately after removing dead or diseased branches after the first bloom.
  2. Look for thin, young side-shoots that are growing off the main branches. These are very thin, usually less than 1 in (2.5 cm) in diameter. Cut them off where they meet the branch. [7]
    • Trimming off these new shoots will reduce the density of the tree. They can help you make a more open, attractive tree. That said, only target small, young growths.
  3. Follow the branch back all the way to the trunk. Make the cut just above the branch collar, which is a slightly wider area where the trunk and the branch meet. Leave about 1 in (2.5 cm) on the branch to prevent disease. [8]
    • Do not cut off the branches at the ends. Magnolias have a habit of water sprouting, which means that they will produce dozens of smaller stems and branches that cannot be easily controlled. Additionally, water sprouting often results in an unattractive tree, compared with the natural growth of a magnolia.
  4. Water sprouts are long, scraggly branches that grow where a branch was pruned or broken. They often grow in unsightly clusters. To remove these, rub the new shoots with your hand until they break off.
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Part 3
Part 3 of 3:

Practicing Safe Pruning

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  1. Gloves will protect your hands from splinters and cuts while the goggles will keep wood chips from getting into your eyes. You can buy these at a garden or hardware store. [9]
    • If you are climbing on ladders, you may also want to wear a helmet and ask someone to act as a spotter.
  2. Disease can quickly infect a freshly cut branch, especially if it is damp or wet. To help prevent this, choose a dry, sunny day to prune your tree. [10]
  3. Some varieties of magnolias can grow very tall, so you may need a ladder to reach the branches. If this is the case, make sure that there is someone else watching you, in case you fall or injure yourself. This person should not stand where a branch can fall on them. [11]
    • Be sure to use safe ladder practices . Do not exceed the weight rating on your ladder, and make sure that it is properly secured and grounded before climbing it.
  4. While you may be able to trim the lower branches yourself, it is generally a good idea to hire an arborist to take care of any branches that are very high on the tree or heavy. An arborist can safely treat any extensive issues that might be affecting the tree. [12]
    • If more than 1 branch is showing signs of a disease, an arborist can help you treat the tree without pruning too many branches.
    • An arborist may advertise themselves as tree services or landscape services.
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Community Q&A

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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
    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.
    Thanks! We're glad this was helpful.
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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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      Things You’ll Need

      • Pruning shears
      • Lopping shears
      • Handsaw
      • Gardening gloves
      • Goggles
      • Ladder
      • Rubbing alcohol

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      References

      1. ↑ https://www.rhs.org.uk/plants/magnolia/growing-guide
      2. ↑ https://hort.extension.wisc.edu/articles/star-magnolia-magnolia-stellata/
      3. ↑ https://hortnews.extension.iastate.edu/faq/how-do-i-sanitize-my-pruners-prevent-spread-disease
      4. ↑ https://www.rhs.org.uk/plants/types/trees/pruning-guide
      5. ↑ https://hort.ifas.ufl.edu/woody/dead-branch-removal.shtml
      6. ↑ https://www.rhs.org.uk/plants/magnolia/growing-guide
      7. ↑ https://aggie-horticulture.tamu.edu/earthkind/landscape/proper-pruning-techniques/
      8. ↑ https://extension.umn.edu/planting-and-growing-guides/pruning-trees-and-shrubs
      9. ↑ https://www.rhs.org.uk/plants/types/trees/pruning-guide
      1. ↑ https://news.okstate.edu/articles/agriculture/2018/plant-disease-control-possible-through-tree-pruning.html
      2. ↑ https://ag.umass.edu/home-lawn-garden/fact-sheets/pruning-ladder-safety
      3. ↑ https://aggie-horticulture.tamu.edu/earthkind/landscape/proper-pruning-techniques/

      About This Article

      Article Summary X

      To prune a magnolia tree, wait until the tree blossoms for the first time. In general, it’s best to prune magnolias in spring and early summer. Prioritize trimming off dead and diseased branches and leaves. Before you prune the tree, sanitize your shears and other cutting tools with rubbing alcohol. Try to cut off any dead branches about 1 inch (2.5 cm) away from the trunk. If the branch is thicker than 2 inches (5.1 cm), you’ll need to use a handsaw instead of shears. In addition to trimming off dead branches, you can also prune young branches low on the tree to prevent it from looking overgrown and scraggly. If you want to do any major reshaping, take it slow. Spread your trimming project out over 2-3 years, since magnolias can be sensitive to over-pruning. Avoid cutting off any large, healthy branches if possible. To learn more from our Horticulturalist co-author, like how to control growth with pruning, read on.

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