Magnolia: when and how to prune

When to prune?

Every two to three years, after flowering in July/August, in autumn or even in winter for maintenance pruning. Formation pruning is carried out after flowering for deciduous species and in February-March for evergreen magnolias. Proceed before the first signs of vegetative growth and outside of frost periods.

While not essential, pruning the magnolia helps maintain a beautiful framework

Why prune

In spectacular punctuation amidst a short grass meadow or towering over a bush massif, the position of a magnolia is often strategic in the garden. It is often said that no pruning is truly essential for the magnolia, and this is true. However, as it grows, the magnolia can tend to become dishevelled, naturally taking on a rounded habit, particularly weighed down by the weight of its fruiting. It may also exhibit gaps in the foliage, revealing unsightly dry wood.

Regular pruning will help stimulate the regrowth of branches while also maintaining a well-dense, bushy, elegant, and balanced habit. This pruning can prove necessary, especially to contain the development of magnolias grown in pots and in small gardens.

How to prune

The flexible stems of the magnolia are quite easy to prune

Training Pruning

During the first 3 or 4 years after planting, a training pruning can be carried out on young magnolias to shape their silhouette. After 4-5 years, the magnolia will be well established and will not require pruning.

• Reduce this year’s shoots by half
• Keep only the main trunk and remove all low branches up to 1 to 2 metres high unless you want a bush with coppice shoots
• Remove any tangled branches in the centre of the branching
• Reduce the branching if it appears messy

Maintenance Pruning

The principle of maintenance pruning is solely to rebalance or even reduce the branching and to eliminate crossed branches and old shoots to maintain a nice shape for the magnolia.

Using a pruning shear or a branch cutter, you will remove any rebellious, too tight or tangled stems. You may need a pole pruner to reach the large branches at the top.

For Deciduous Magnolias

• Shorten the ends of the longest shoots to homogenise the foliage
• Cut back any crossing branches to aerate the tree’s silhouette
• Remove all dead wood at the base of the branching

For Evergreen Magnolias

• Prune from the base to the top, starting with the ends
• Lightly cut back stems that compromise symmetry
• Shorten the longest shoots
• Ensure a harmonious shape by frequently stepping back