What is the best time to prune magnolia?

When growing magnolia, if you want it to grow better and more vigorously, you need to prune its branches and leaves regularly, and cut off all its redundant, aging, leggy, withered, and overly dense branches and leaves. This will help the plant absorb nutrients better, keep the plant more beautiful, and allow it to irradiate more sunlight, so that it grows faster and better.

Magnolia pruning time

The most suitable time to prune magnolia is in early autumn in September, because the climate is still relatively mild at this time, which is suitable for the growth of magnolia. This pruning will be more conducive to promoting its root growth, while also ensuring sufficient nutrient supply, allowing the main branches to grow faster, reducing unnecessary nutrient consumption, and speeding up flowering.

Magnolia pruning method

1. Young trees

This pruning is mainly for its shaping and planting. The top buds of the magnolia are removed, and three branches with relatively even distribution, strong and sturdy, and with a larger opening angle are selected as its main branches.

All other branches should be cut off and shortened to 30cm from the main branches to promote the branching of the magnolia. The weaker branches should be left with fewer leaves or cut off altogether to concentrate nutrients and ensure the development of the main branches.

2. Adult trees

At this time, pruning is mainly to promote the growth of the tree. Continue to shorten its main branches, extend the tips of the branches, allow it to continuously expand its crown, and cut off some overly dense, too thin branches and dead branches to make the crown more ventilated and light-permeable.

For all kinds of side branches, the one-year-old branches at the tips should be shortened, mainly with light pruning, so that they can grow more short branches, thereby forming flower buds and increasing the yield and survival rate of magnolia.