Quote:
Originally Posted by TreeSpecialist  Tip reduction or subordination pruning means to reduce the length of the branch back to an interior fork or crotch. Do not simply stub the branch off - cut it back so that there are still leaves attached to what is left.
Do not cut it back so far as to leave only small twigs to support a large branch - general rule of thumb is the sprout left behind should be at least 1/3 the diameter of the stem its attached to. Personally, I think it should be at least 1/2 the diameter of the parent stem.
The tree should start blooming in May - blooming may last as long as 4 to 6 weeks. Lack of blooms will be attributable to low light.
This a swamp tree and likes a lot of water. It appears to have been receiving a fair amount of water as the leaves are nice and large. A drought stressed magnolia will have smaller leaves.
Thrips - tiny bugs seen on the flowers - will cause the creamy white petals to brown prematurely.
Magnolia scale can often be found on both the top and the underside of the leaves.
A horticultural oil spray mixed with a little Neem® oil and insecticidal soap will usually take care of both problems without harming you, your dogs, or the environment. |
Great advice! Wondering: I have some "bushes" in the front of my house that the previous owner let grow too big. All the leaves are on the top portion of the bushes and not too much towards the center.. some are 4 feet tall.. they really should be 2' tall to look nice in proportion to the house.
If I apply your pruning instruction to these bushes I will not get the desired size. Can I cut them back anyway and simply wait for them to grow or will I end up damaging the bushes.. I can send pics if it makes a difference what type. Oh hell.. lemme grab my camera and take a few pics.. one sec
Okay I added a few..
BTW all of these plants were hit with a bad drought here in Charlotte last summer.. this spring seems to be wet enough however.. should I treat them any different coming off of this drought?