When should Magnolias be pruned?

Last post 14-08-2012 10:32 AM by asdfff33. 4 replies.

• 04/08/2012 06:04 PM
  asdfff33 Location: North West London Joined on: 09 May 2012 Posts: 43	Reply | Contact If I am correct, Magnolias flower in the spring and so should be pruned straight after flowering. It is now too late to prune them as the new growth might suffer in the autumn/winter. Can someone correct me please if I am wrong here? regards Ad

• 04/08/2012 09:06 PM	In reply to
  AlexS Location: Reading Joined on: 06 Sep 2009 Posts: 519	Reply | Contact I've pruned magnolias at this time of year with no ill-effects to the tree. So I'd say, go ahead. Magnolias may look delicate, but I think the tree itself is quite tough. It's just the flowers that are easily damaged by frost, not the tree. Cheers, Alex

• 05/08/2012 09:50 PM	In reply to
  asdfff33 Location: North West London Joined on: 09 May 2012 Posts: 43	Reply | Contact I've just been doing some reading and they were saying only to prune dead or damaged branches, but if you have experience showing otherwise then I'll take that onboard as well. Thanks, Ad

• 05/08/2012 10:30 PM	In reply to
  AlexS Location: Reading Joined on: 06 Sep 2009 Posts: 519	Reply | Contact It's right of course to remove dead and damaged wood. Unfortunately magnolias aren't always planted in the ideal place - many gardens are too small for them - so some live wood has to be removed too. My experience is that they respond to judicious pruning in summer without ill effects. I've removed quite large branches at this time of year and the tree has been fine. Cheers, Alex

• 14/08/2012 10:32 AM	In reply to
  asdfff33 Location: North West London Joined on: 09 May 2012 Posts: 43	Reply | Contact Hmmmnnn that sounds encouraging. I guess I'll just have to leave the final decision to our client. I'll mention both official RHS advice and what you have said. Thanks