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Keep or fell magnolia tree?

LeadFarmerLeadFarmer Posts: 1,500
in Problem solving
My mature magnolia tree suffered damage from the weight of the winter snow, with branches snapping. It now just has two main upright branches and doesn’t look it’s best. I’m considering whether to fell it as I’m not a fan of magnolia and I have a potted ‘seven sons flower tree’ that needs planting out would grow well there. So my options are…

1) Fell it and plant my other tree in its place. 
2) Do nothing, leave as it is and plant my other tree elsewhere 
3) Leave it alone and grow ivy or clematis up it

Any suggestions?


Posts

  • Lizzie27Lizzie27 Posts: 12,494
    @LeadFarmer, I'd fell it as it looks past its best as you say and won't recover a nice shape. If you're not keen on them, it makes sense to plant the tree you do like.
    North East Somerset - Clay soil over limestone
  • LoxleyLoxley Posts: 5,698
    It looks like it was a nice tree before the accident, but I'd also fell it and plant the Heptacodium (great tree!).
    "What is hateful to you, do not do to your neighbour". 
  • LeadFarmerLeadFarmer Posts: 1,500
    It looked lovely for 2 weeks per year when in blossom but always thought it was a bland tree for the remaining 50 weeks of the year. 

    Am tempted to grow ivy up it for wildlife but I think the seven sons tree would grow well there. 
  • fidgetbonesfidgetbones Posts: 17,618
    You could prune off the two large branches on the side and then it would be balanced as it will soon resprout and gain shape.  If you don't like it anyway, take it out.
  • LoxleyLoxley Posts: 5,698
    Yep, life is short. If it doesn't 'spring joy', get rid!
    "What is hateful to you, do not do to your neighbour". 
  • LeadFarmerLeadFarmer Posts: 1,500
    Think I'll cut it down and replant, though I'll wait until nesting season is over as I have blue tits in a nearby nest box and they like to land in the magnolia tree before darting into the nest box.
  • robairdmacraignilrobairdmacraignil Posts: 782
    Virginia creeper growing up a tree can put on a great display of autumn colour if you want to consider another option other than growing ivy or clematis up the one you have a problem with. Takes a while to get established but the garden across the road from me has a couple of poorly cherry trees with Virginia creeper on them that have been putting on a great show every autumn for years now and the cherry still have some flowers in spring.
    Happy gardening!
    https://www.youtube.com/user/sustainableveg/videos
  • LeadFarmerLeadFarmer Posts: 1,500
    robairdmacraignil said:
    Virginia creeper growing up a tree can put on a great display of autumn colour if you want to consider another option other than growing ivy or clematis up the one you have a problem with. Takes a while to get established but the garden across the road from me has a couple of poorly cherry trees with Virginia creeper on them that have been putting on a great show every autumn for years now and the cherry still have some flowers in spring.
    Happy gardening!
    That's a good idea. I was considering ivy as it's beneficial to wildlife. But then the seven sons flower tree is supposed to be goo for bees.
  • bédébédé Posts: 3,095
    edited May 2023
    Magnolias have a lovely inflorescence.  It is however short-lived and happens when the branches are otherwise naked.  It also can get frosted many years.  You could prune it back to the growing stems, but ...  Bite the bullet.
     location: Surrey Hills, England, ex-woodland acidic sand.
    "Have nothing in your garden that you don't know to be useful, or believe to be beautiful."
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