The botanical genus of the magnolia family is one of the oldest plants on our planet. In fact, the beautifully flowering shrubs are much older than the dinosaurs, as evidenced by the rather simple structure of the nevertheless impressive, huge flowers. Magnolia trees also grow very primitively and often form bizarre-looking formations of their branches and twigs. Because of this and the fact that the trees can grow very tall and wide, pruning is sometimes essential. This, however, needs to be well thought out, because many magnolias do not tolerate pruning well.
Prune magnolias after they bloom
In our latitudes, many, if not most, garden trees are cut back in autumn. However, like other early flowering bushes and trees, magnolias should be pruned after flowering if possible. At this point, which - depending on the variety - can be in spring or early summer, the plant is fully in its juice and can cope with pruning more easily. In addition, magnolias are more defensive in summer and therefore more resistant to a possible fungal infection - the greatest danger when pruning a magnolia is the penetration of pathogenic fungi into the freshly cut wounds.
Be careful when pruning the magnolia
Before you decide to cut back, also consider that magnolias cut back immediately after flowering often do not produce a second flower in the current year - and, if they have been pruned quite heavily, will not flower in the following year either. In addition, after pruning, you cannot develop the rather oddly shaped but very decorative fruits.
When it makes sense to cut back in the fall
In some cases, however, pruning the magnolia in autumn can make a lot of sense and should then be carried out. Such cases are approx
- a storm damage
- dead or diseased wood
- a rapidly spreading fungal infection that threatens the entire tree
In the event of storm damage in particular, only a drastic pruning can often save the tree - as long as it can cope with the cut at all. However, in such a case you have no other choice and should therefore simply take a chance. Dead or irreparably diseased branches and twigs rob the magnolia of strength and light and should therefore be removed immediately, regardless of the season.
tips and tricks
No matter when you need or want to cut back your magnolia, always cut branches and twigs directly at the trunk or branch. Don't leave stumps! Treat the cuts with a tree resin as a preventative measure to prevent fungi from penetrating.