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When to prune a Magnolia Grandiflora
Hollybaby
Posts: 8
Hello I have a Magnolia Grandiflora which is now approx 8 feet tall and I'd like to know when I can prune it back?
I had cut it back around March time which I did last year and this year I had about 5 -6 beautiful fragrant flowers.
Is February-April the right time to cut back or after all the flowers have gone?
My neighbour is hinting that it needs to be cut back as its blocking her sunshine 
and I'd rather cut it back when the time is right rather than my neighbour hinting to me.
Any helpful advice is much appreciated!
Thank you
0
Posts
Yes, prune it when you see new growth start in spring. If 8 feet tall is a problem, you probably have the wrong tree for the space, as that is really just a tiddler. M. Grandilfora will grow to well over 30ft tall and 20+ feet wide so you'll have a job to keep it small but still looking attractive. Pruned that way it will always be a bit sparse as far as the number of flowers goes because annual pruning will always remove a large proportion of flower-bearing wood. They can be wall-trained however and then the pruning is done in summer. Do not prune it between late summer and spring.
Magnolias don't like being pruned and may throw up a lot of unproductive 'water shoots.' If you did it last year, do it about the same time next year if you have to.
Wrong sort of tree if you want it at 8ft. Mine is as tall as the house. Replace with one of the small forms like Magnolia "Susan"
Hollybaby, please don't prune it and ignore your neighbour's not so subtle hints.