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Should I cut back transplanted Magnolia stellata ( x loebneri?)
Neil55
Posts: 1
Hi - I transplanted a very mature (2.2m stem height) Magnolia stellata (or poss x loebneri) in Feb this year. A good amount of root was maintained, which was kept moist/covered and dusted with mycorrhizal powder prior to same day replanting. The tree flowered well but has been very slow to put on new leaf/flower buds. Most stems survived (cambium scrape shows green wood) and some sparse leaves and flower buds have formed. A few branches died back completely and were removed. The tree (which was in my late mother in law's garden, so is of sentimental value) has been watered daily, regardless of temperature, since it was transplanted.
The question I have for the Forum is whether anyone has experience of transplanting a Magnolia of this type and if so did they cut back the live framework to allow the tree to concentrate energy in a smaller number of branches? I'm concerned this may do more harm than good.
Thanks!
Neil
The question I have for the Forum is whether anyone has experience of transplanting a Magnolia of this type and if so did they cut back the live framework to allow the tree to concentrate energy in a smaller number of branches? I'm concerned this may do more harm than good.
Thanks!
Neil
0
Posts
I suspect you're right in saying that pruning back may do more harm than good.
If it's as it looks in your photo, there are almost no leaves, and the lack of leaves should mean the roots don't have to work too hard to keep them hydrated and they can concentrate on settling into the soil.
You've been keeping it well watered too, so I think you've done about as much as you can to help it recover other then keep your fingers X'ed
Billericay - Essex
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