Magnolia trees - Ask Extension
When and how to prune magnolia trees
Knowledgebase
Magnolia trees #879275
Asked July 29, 2024, 3:11 PM EDT
When and how to prune magnolia trees
Multnomah County Oregon
Expert Response
Hi Thomas and thanks for your question about pruning magnolia trees.
According to the American Horticultural Society’s book, Pruning and Training by Christopher Brickell (DK Publishing, 1996), mature Magnolias should not be pruned unless it is essential. Many species will bleed from pruning wounds, and should only be pruned from summer to before midwinter. Summer-blooming Magnolias can be carefully pruned to reduce size by removing selected branches. The book Pruning: A Practical Guide by Peter McHoy (Abbeville Press, 1993) recommends doing this in late fall or early winter.
Hope this helps,
According to the American Horticultural Society’s book, Pruning and Training by Christopher Brickell (DK Publishing, 1996), mature Magnolias should not be pruned unless it is essential. Many species will bleed from pruning wounds, and should only be pruned from summer to before midwinter. Summer-blooming Magnolias can be carefully pruned to reduce size by removing selected branches. The book Pruning: A Practical Guide by Peter McHoy (Abbeville Press, 1993) recommends doing this in late fall or early winter.
Hope this helps,
