how to shape and when to prune my Magnolia tree

selinasally · February 2021

I planted this Magnolia on the Christening of my Daughter almost 23 years ago - then I moved house and had to dig it up- I put it in a pot and only planted it out about 4 years ago due to moving ... I really do not know how to start- despite it being 23 years old it is becoming shrub like and I really wanted it to become a tree - Any tips on how and when to prune/shape ? I have read it up but do get confused . I am new to gardening again ...

selinasally · February 2021

selinasally · February 2021

Sorry I can’t seem to get photos the right way round

BobTheGardener · February 2021

Do you know which variety it is? The form of it looks a bit like one of my M. stellata (aka Star Magnolia) and those don't grow into very big trees at all.

https://www.rhs.org.uk/plants/10721/magnolia-stellata/details

They are best not pruned at all (apart from removing dead/damaged/diseased wood) and any pruning needs to be done in mid-summer.

selinasally · February 2021

the flowers are like the typical pinky large magnolia flower- not like stellata ...ill see if I can find a pic of it in flower

BobTheGardener · February 2021

There are some good pics of several varieties here which may help:

https://www.ornamental-trees.co.uk/magnolia-trees-c37

THere are several common 'dwarf' varieties - there's a tickbox on the left to narrow it down to those.

selinasally · February 2021

Thanks Bob - yes looks very much like soulangeana. I have very thin whispy long shoots- I think they are called water shoots maybe ? that have come up- OK I will leave her alone and see what happens this season and prune afterwards in mid summer - she flowers early almost always in flower at my daughters Birthday end of March

Silver surfer · February 2021

selinasally said:

Sorry I can’t seem to get photos the right way round

Have turned pics for you.
In the 1st pic below, there is a very badly damaged /dead short branch.
Would recommend you remove asap.
Really need to see flowers.
Magnolia soulangeana can grow into large trees.

https://www.google.com/search?q=magnolia+x+soulangeana+tree&tbm=isch&ved=2ahUKEwiKt9HkioDvAhULWxoKHW7aCCQQ2-cCegQIABAA&oq=magnolia+x+soulangeana+tree&gs_lcp=CgNpbWcQDDICCAA6BAgAEEM6BggAEAgQHlD7IVjPK2COQWgAcAB4AIABfogBxQOSAQM0LjGYAQCgAQGqAQtnd3Mtd2l6LWltZ8ABAQ&sclient=img&ei=TP80YIrhO4u2ae60o6AC&bih=579&biw=1280&client=firefox-b-d

Image: https://us.v-cdn.net/6030279/uploads/editor/3t/is5oyjh0eqko.jpg

Image: https://us.v-cdn.net/6030279/uploads/editor/eh/n2o8bk7k8y9f.jpg

selinasally · February 2021

Do you mean this one

selinasally · February 2021

The little one in the middle ?

Silver surfer · February 2021

selinasally said:

Do you mean this one

No ..the one higher up...just above your red line
Looks to be about 6" long with no buds /flowers.
See trimmed pic below.

If it were mine I would be very tempted to remove the branch that is growing from the soil to the left of the main trunk.It would leave you with just one trunk.

how to shape and when to prune my Magnolia tree

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