By Amsterdam
Shropshire, United Kingdom
Magnolia stellata pink. Can I prune a few lower branches of this magnolia tree to allow the few plants underneath some dappled shade and circulation? Many thanks :)
- 27 Aug, 2017
Answers
Loosestrife, when pruning the top do you just snip off end of branch or do you take whole branch out?
27 Aug, 2017
Snip off the ends to give a symmetrical appearance and to eliminate annoying overhangs. This will induce new growth next year so be sure keep after it with the pruning shears.
27 Aug, 2017
Magnolia trees don't take kindly to pruning. It can cause the tree to decline & die. Here are some valuable tips for pruning your magnolia tree.
https://www.gardeningknowhow.com/ornamental/trees/magnolia/pruning-magnolia-trees.htm
27 Aug, 2017
Magnolias should be pruned in the winter only - they can 'bleed' sap if pruned in summer. Also, removing branches can cause the tree to produce 'water shoots', which are sturdy branches that shoot up at odd angles to the rest of the tree. In short, it's best not to prune magnolias as you tend to lose the shape, but if you must, then do it in the winter and be sparing! BTW, I have the exact same plant and it's the same height as my house lol
27 Aug, 2017
Magnolia stellata usually take kindly to being pruned - oddly enough the RHS say to do so now!
27 Aug, 2017
Thanks moongrow. Phew, that's a relief as I just gone and pruned it!! First photo of pruned tree, I have been quite careful!
27 Aug, 2017
I took off a bottom branch for the sake of plants under it and it took no harm at all. And I don't think I did it in winter, I think it was just after flowering. Its a good thing our plants haven't always read the books isn't it?
27 Aug, 2017
Indeed it is Stera... odd thing i I replied to Amsterdam's Q. before anyone else and the reply apparently vanished into the mists of time!
27 Aug, 2017
Sid has given very good advice.
'Wait until the dormant season to prune your star magnolia (Magnolia Stellata). February is a wise time to prune, but don't wait until March, as this is when blossoming begins. Pruning later, during the growing season, causes the bark to ooze sap -- a sloppy look, though it's not hazardous to the shrub's health. A light trim in late summer, after the growing season, is also safe.
Carefully planning your star magnolia's trim can maximize its flowering so you can enjoy the white or pink blooms as long as your shrub is in season.'
http://homeguides.sfgate.com/prune-star-magnolia-36429.html
28 Aug, 2017
Amsterdam as you only wanted to remove the very bottom branches and assuming you took them right back to the trunk you should have no problem. The sap shouldn't still be rising at this time of year so it should avoid any oozing problem. If you didn't take them right back to the trunk it would be a good idea to do it - if you are confused by all the conflicting advice you could leave that until the tree is dormant and play safe. This is a very different thing from cutting back the tree all over.
28 Aug, 2017
...and hope those wounds you created don't open the tree up to fungal rot and all kinds of other problems as we move into the rainy wet season of autumn.
28 Aug, 2017
I replied too after you mg and my comment isn't there either.
those ruddy gremlins ;o(
28 Aug, 2017
I'm worried it's going to outgrow it's situ so if it doesn't take too kindly to my pruning now I will have to replace it! Lol. Some risks are worth taking in life..... we'll have to wait and see.
28 Aug, 2017
Agree Amserdam sometimes you just have to get on and do something regardless, remember plants don't read books and just do what feels right!
28 Aug, 2017
"Plants don't read books"? a nugget of wisdom, lol
28 Aug, 2017
They get very wide Amasterdam - have you looked them up to see the mature size?
28 Aug, 2017
Weird thing Stera is ours is still very open, has no lower branches and after more than 15 years still isn't 2 metres in height! Perfectly happy, flowers beautifully every year, grows very, very slowly :)
28 Aug, 2017
Steragram-no I haven't! I thought for some reason (can't recall why?) that it was a small garden tree!! Oops! Will have to see how big it grows...
29 Aug, 2017
It can reach 20 feet tall. It's one of the smaller magnolia trees. Others can reach 60 feet tall.
29 Aug, 2017
I have never seen tall one but they do get very wide.
Amsterdam its a good idea to check eventual size before buying - but you know that now... Ours was a gift from our son and I chose it because it was the smallest one, lol.
29 Aug, 2017
Hi, I think 1 of the tallest, {if not the tallest} is Magnolia x veitchii, which will reach 100 ft, with a spread of 30 ft, however M stellata is a shrub, not a tree, and has a height of 10 ft and spread of 12 ft, Derek.
29 Aug, 2017
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29 Aug, 2017
This was interesting so I consulted good old Google. One site did indeed say 20 feet but the others agreed on 10. What a relief, considering where I put mine!
29 Aug, 2017
Depends where it's growing. In Pembrokeshire, UK it could grow to 10'. In South Carolina, it could reach 25', New York - anywhere in between because of our shorter growing season.
29 Aug, 2017
Hi Sue, glad you've put it in the right place.?, Derek.
29 Aug, 2017
Previous question
A good idea, go ahead. The upper needs a light trim too.
27 Aug, 2017