The evergreen magnolia (Magnolia grandiflora) is a very impressive tree with a height of up to 25 meters and more, which also tends to grow quite sprawling and wide. The plant is particularly impressive when it is in bloom, when its pure white flowers, which are up to 45 centimeters wide, create a fragrant sea of blossoms. Like all magnolias, the evergreen magnolia should have little exposure to pruning shears.

The evergreen magnolia should not be cut too often

Evergreen magnolia grows very slowly

On the one hand, this is due to the fact that the evergreen magnolia grows very slowly - under good conditions, the tree manages about 30 centimeters per year, but the growth is usually much lower. In addition, this type of magnolia branches very little, which is why a cut creates holes very quickly that will never close again. The tendency of the evergreen magnolia to grow both taller and wider over the years should be taken into account when planting - the tree needs a lot of space around it and does not tolerate competing plantings.

Careful pruning only every three to five years

Due to the tendency of the magnolia not to sprout again from pruned parts or to develop unsightly spider veins, a pruning should actually only be done if it is unavoidable. Reasons for this can be

  • Lack of space (however, this can be avoided by carefully selecting the location)
  • Damage caused by storms and other weather influences
  • fungal and other diseases
  • an unfavorable / undesirable growth

If you want to achieve a certain growth habit, you can do a careful and carefully planned pruning every three to five years. However, storm damage and damage caused by illness should be repaired immediately.

The right time for a grooming cut

The right time for a caring pruning is clearly the time after flowering. Don't prune before flowering (like early spring, as is sometimes recommended), otherwise you will remove the flower buds and the flower will fail.

Pruning evergreen magnolia

Since magnolias - and of course the evergreen magnolia - contract fungal infections very quickly, you should always work with freshly sharpened and sterile tools. Proceed as follows when cutting:

  • Never leave stubs, but always cut off branches and twigs directly at the trunk!
  • At this point the magnolia can best close its wounds,
  • In addition, spider veins form mainly from branch stumps that have been left standing.
  • Remove steeply growing shoots that compete with the main stem.
  • Carefully thin out the crown by cutting away crossing shoots.

tips

If possible, seal the cut surfaces with a fungicidal (fungus-killing) tree wax (12.96€) then these pathogens don't stand a chance!

Category:

Trees