Pruning Magnolias Like a Pro: Insider Secrets for Stunning Results
January 23rd, 2025
Magnolia trees are renowned for their stunning blooms and graceful branches, adding noble beauty and charm to any landscape. We love them so much that we built a whole business around them!
However, like all living things, magnolias need and deserve some TLC from time to time. Regular maintenance, including corrective pruning, is an important part of their care.
Think of pruning like getting a haircut – sure, you can go weeks, months, even years without a haircut and be perfectly fine. But, do you really want to? It’s one of the many ways we take care of ourselves, and magnolia pruning is no different.
From our farms in Central Florida to your front yard, here’s our best advice on when, how, why, and what you’ll need to give your magnolia trees the top of the line care they deserve.
Why Bother with Pruning?
- Keeping Your Tree Healthy
Magnolia trees boast large, glossy green leaves and magnificent flowers that range in color from creamy white to vibrant pink. Despite their natural beauty, magnolias can develop structural issues over time, such as overcrowded branches, crossing limbs, and imbalanced growth. Recognizing these common problems is crucial for effective corrective pruning. - Shaping
As with all things in nature, plants will grow however they want to grow -they really couldn’t care less about the neatness of their growth patterns or how they look from the street. This might mean your tree looks like it has a permanent case of bedhead. It’s a happy tree, but maybe that’s not the look you want for your yard. Pruning is your best tool for managing the plant’s growth in a way that’s aesthetically pleasing and maintains its health. - Optimizing Growth
Aside from immediate health concerns for your tree and shaping its growth, the third reason to prune your tree is to maximize its energy efficiency. If the tree has damaged, diseased, or injured branches that it’s still spending energy on, it can’t use that energy to grow taller or create fuller foliage. Most people who choose magnolia trees for their yard do so because of their voluminous leaves and towering stature. You’ll get your tree to that majestic look much faster by allowing it to focus its energy on growing, instead of healing.
When to Perform Corrective Pruning
Timing is key when it comes to corrective pruning for magnolia trees. Ideally, you should prune during the dormant season in late winter or early spring to minimize stress on the tree. Signs that indicate the need for corrective pruning include overgrown branches, rubbing limbs, and the presence of dead or diseased wood.
It’s easy to forget – removing parts of a plant is a stressful event for the plant. By pruning during the magnolia tree’s dormant season, you’re setting the tree up for a speedy and easy recovery. It’s like when people undergo significant surgical procedures; it’s a lot easier to have the procedure done when you’re put under anesthesia (a state of dormancy) for it.
That said, if damage occurs to your tree at any point in the year, prune the branch. In most instances, the tree should be just fine.
Simply reserve your thorough, more invasive pruning for the tree’s dormant season, just before its springtime growth spurt.
Tools and Techniques for Corrective Pruning
To perform corrective pruning effectively, you’ll need the right tools and techniques.
Suggested tools for pruning, depending on the size of your tree:
- Sharp pruning shears – these are a must!
- Loppers for thicker branches
- A pruning saw for larger limbs
- A wheelbarrow to collect your cuttings
- A ladder
- Work gloves
- A buddy
When making cuts, it’s important to follow proper pruning techniques. When cutting, make sure to cut just outside the branch collar to promote healing and prevent disease.
Step-by-Step Guide to Corrective Pruning
- Assess the tree’s structure: Start by evaluating the overall shape and structure of the magnolia tree, identifying any problem areas that require attention.
- Prioritize branches for removal: Target diseased, injured, and dead wood first.
- Make strategic cuts: Use clean, precise cuts to remove unwanted branches, making sure to cut at a slight angle to encourage healing.
- Create your desired shape: Prune away any unruly branches that are outside the desired shape of your tree.
- Ensure proper balance and symmetry: Step back periodically to assess the tree’s shape and make adjustments as needed to achieve balance and symmetry. Remove any branches that appear overcrowded or overlap.
- Don’t be scared to prune hard: Sometimes a tree just needs a very hard prune to get the desired shape. Don’t worry with proper water and fertilizer it will bounce back.
Addressing Specific Pruning Challenges
While corrective pruning can address many issues, some challenges may require special attention. For example, dealing with large branches may require additional tools and techniques, such as making strategic relief cuts before removing the branch entirely. You may want to phone a friend for help with larger endeavors.
Additionally, correct vertical growth or water sprouts through selective pruning to encourage more horizontal branching.
Post-Pruning Care
Going back to our surgery analogy, postoperative care is important! After completing corrective pruning, it’s essential to provide proper care to promote tree recovery and new growth.
We recommend applying a layer of mulch around the base of the tree to retain moisture and suppress weeds. Consider fertilizing the tree to provide essential nutrients for healthy growth, especially as the tree comes out of its dormant season. Monitor the tree closely for signs of stress or disease, and provide additional care as needed.
As professional magnolia farmers, we’re always here to answer your questions. So, if you run into a situation you’re unsure of, please, reach out! You can contact our expert growing team through phone, email, and social media. We even have a Facebook page dedicated to building a plant lover community and providing support to our fellow green thumb growers.
Are you pruning your magnolia this season? Share your photos with us, and happy growing!
