Content

• To step
• Part 1 of 3: Removing dead and diseased branches
• Part 2 of 3: Controlling growth
• Part 3 of 3: Safe pruning
• Necessities

Magnolias are beautiful but dense trees that can reach fantastic heights. It may be tempting to cut back an overgrown magnolia, but magnolias generally do not respond well to heavy pruning. Removing too many branches can itself create stress, produce pistons and make the tree susceptible to disease. If you need to remove unsightly or dead branches, do so in the spring or summer, after the first bloom. Avoid removing too many branches to protect your tree from disease and damage.

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Part 1 of 3: Removing dead and diseased branches

1. Prioritize dead and diseased branches over healthy ones. With magnolias, removing healthy but unsightly branches can do more harm than good. You should never prune more than one third of the tree at once, so always start with branches that are dead or dying.
   • When in doubt, be conservative when pruning. Magnolias are very sensitive to pruning. Pruning too much can harm the tree, reduce blossoms in the following year, and make the tree more susceptible to disease.
2. Wait for the magnolia to flower for the first time. Depending on the climate and the species, this can be in the spring or in the summer. The period after the first flowering period is the only period in which you can perform significant pruning work on the magnolia.
   • Do not prune in winter or early spring, as the tree may not produce blossoms the following year. The tree is therefore more susceptible to disease.
   • If you notice a diseased branch in a different period, you can remove it to control the disease. Try to treat the disease before pruning the branch.
3. Disinfect your scissors before and after you prune the tree. Wipe the scissors with rubbing alcohol and wait for it to dry. If you are going to prune multiple trees or plants, disinfect the shears between each plant.
4. Cut away dead wood on the trunk. Dead wood is brittle and often does not produce leaves or flowers, even when the rest of the tree is in bloom. It may also be a slightly different color from the rest of the tree. Use loppers to cut the branch about an inch from the trunk.
   • No matter how big or small the branch is, dead wood must be removed.
5. Determine if there are any branches showing signs of disease. Discolored leaves and bark, hanging branches and rotting wood can all be signs of disease. If the disease is limited to one or two branches, remove these branches from the trunk.
   • If cankers (dead open areas) are present or if there are other signs of disease on the trunk of the tree, it may be too late for treatment. Ask an arborist to inspect your tree. In many cases, however, it is necessary to remove the entire tree.
   • Common diseases in magnolias include wilt, leaf spot fungus and algae leaf spot. In addition to removing diseased branches, you may also need to apply a fungicide or neem oil.
6. Use a handsaw to remove branches more than 5 cm in diameter. Make a cut at the bottom of the branch, approximately 45 cm away from the trunk. Cut about one third through the branch. Then make a second cut at the top of the branch about an inch further from the trunk than the bottom cut. These cuts protect the tree, especially the bark, from damage if the branch breaks while you are removing it.
   • Once you've made these cuts, you can remove the branch just above the collar. Leave about an inch of the branch above the collar to protect the tree.
   • You should only remove branches that are this thick if they are dead or if they show signs of disease. Do not remove thick, healthy branches as this can damage the tree and result in suckers.

Part 2 of 3: Controlling growth

1. Select young, low-growing branches if you want to control growth. While you probably can't control the shape of the tree, you can occasionally remove young branches to prevent overgrowth. Look for low-growing branches that are 2.5 to 5 cm in diameter.
   • Watch for branches growing at an odd angle or intersecting with other branches. These are good candidates for removal.
   • Established branches or branches growing high on the tree should only be removed if they are dead or diseased. Removing thick, healthy branches can harm your tree and prevent it from blooming.
   • Since magnolias are so sensitive to pruning, it is good to spread heavy shaping or pruning work over a period of two to three years. While this requires some patience, the result will be worth it in the long run.
   • You can prune healthy branches after the first bloom period, right after removing dead or diseased branches.
2. Prune new shoots with pruning shears to thin out the tree. Watch for thin, young side shoots growing out of the main branches. These branches are very thin, usually less than an inch in diameter. Cut them where they meet with the main branch.
   • Removing these shoots reduces the tree's density. It can help give the tree a more open and attractive appearance.
3. Cut branches on the trunk with loppers. Follow the branch all the way to the trunk. Cut just above the collar of the branch, which is the slightly wider area where the trunk and branch meet. Leave about an inch from the branch to avoid disease.
   • Do not cut the end of the branches. Magnolias tend to produce pistons, which means that the tree will produce very much smaller shoots and branches from the cut, and these are not easy to control. In addition, these suckers often result in an unattractive tree compared to the natural growth of a magnolia.
4. Rub pistons off the tree. Pistons are long, thin twigs that grow where a branch has been cut or broken. They often grow in unattractive groups. To remove them, rub your hand over the new shoots until they break off.

Part 3 of 3: Safe pruning

1. Wear protective gloves and goggles while pruning. Gloves protect your hands from splinters and cuts and goggles prevent wood chips from getting into your eyes. You can buy these things at a garden supply or DIY store.
   • If you have to climb a ladder, it is also good to wear a helmet and ask someone to hold the ladder for you.
2. Prune the tree when it is dry to prevent disease. A freshly cut branch can get sick quickly, especially if it is damp or wet outside. To help prevent this, choose a dry, sunny day to prune your tree.
3. Ask someone to hold the ladder for you if you must use one. Some magnolia varieties grow very tall, so you may need a ladder to get to the branches. If this is the case, make sure there is someone to keep an eye on you in case you fall or injure yourself. This person should not stand where a branch could fall on him or her.
   • Make sure you work safely on a ladder. Do not exceed the carrying weight of the ladder and make sure it is stable and secure before climbing on it.
4. Hire an arborist if the tree has many dead or diseased branches. While you may be able to prune the low-growing branches yourself, it is usually a good idea to hire an arborist to prune any tall or very heavy branches. An arborist can safely treat serious problems the tree may have.
   • If more than one branch shows signs of disease, an arborist can help you treat the tree without pruning too many branches.
   • A tree surgeon can advertise themselves as a tree service or landscape service.

Necessities

• Pruning shears
• Loppers
• Handsaw
• Garden gloves
• Safety glasses
• Ladder
• Rubbing alcohol