Quote:
Originally Posted by TreeSpecialist  [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. |
Thanks! I am the owner. I'll leave the bottom alone then. I have just moved here and have dogs.. My whole back yard is full of trees and grass does not grow... So I have laid down pine needles so my dogs dont track mud into the house.. I hope this was ok to do.
Im not sure what you mean by pruning this tree... maybe you can expand.. I dont mind the leaves in the ground at all.. in fact they will be helpfull to keep my dogs out of the dirt.
It is getting some shade due to tree ajacent to it. Not much I can do about that as I dont want to cut down the trees.. I like the shade.
Can I expect any nasty insects on this tree? When will it bloom?