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TreeSpecialist · 19th March 2008, 05:19 AM

[i]Magnolia grandiflora[/I

This tree needs more light that it appears to be getting.
Pruning in the form or light crown reduction to bring the tree into more of a conical shape would be good. Limit tip reduction to 24 to 30 inches.

The magnolia is a tree that does best with its lowest branches left intact. As a mature tree, the magnolia will shed a garbage can full of leaves each and every week (even more in the spring months.) If its lowest branches touch the ground, all of those leaves will be left beneath the tree serving as the perfect mulch.

With the dense shade a healthy magnolia produces combined with a very thick and aggressive root mat, growing turf or ground cover beneath the magnolia is very difficult. This another good reason to leave all of the leaves beneath the tree.

The only draw back to pruning the tree at this time (pruning to remove more than deadwood) will be a reduction in blooms. If blooms are important to your client, wait until late May, early June when the tree has finished blooming to do any tip reduction.

Be sure to check for girdling roots as they are often a problem with magnolias.

19th March 2008, 05:19 AM	#4 (permalink)
TreeSpecialist Semi-mature vigorous tree Join Date: Mar 2008 Location: Austin, Texas Posts: 201	Re: Magnolia [i]Magnolia grandiflora[/I This tree needs more light that it appears to be getting. Pruning in the form or light crown reduction to bring the tree into more of a conical shape would be good. Limit tip reduction to 24 to 30 inches. The magnolia is a tree that does best with its lowest branches left intact. As a mature tree, the magnolia will shed a garbage can full of leaves each and every week (even more in the spring months.) If its lowest branches touch the ground, all of those leaves will be left beneath the tree serving as the perfect mulch. With the dense shade a healthy magnolia produces combined with a very thick and aggressive root mat, growing turf or ground cover beneath the magnolia is very difficult. This another good reason to leave all of the leaves beneath the tree. The only draw back to pruning the tree at this time (pruning to remove more than deadwood) will be a reduction in blooms. If blooms are important to your client, wait until late May, early June when the tree has finished blooming to do any tip reduction. Be sure to check for girdling roots as they are often a problem with magnolias.