Flowering specimen trees such as magnolia are damage-prone thoroughbred plants, requiring occasional pruning of branches.
Flowering specimen trees such as magnolia are damage-prone thoroughbred plants, requiring occasional pruning of branches.
Even if there are no damaged branches to remove, careful pruning may be necessary to shape the tree or shrub and keep it looking its best.
Even if there are no damaged branches to remove, careful pruning may be necessary to shape the tree or shrub and keep it looking its best.
Prune After Planting
At planting time, use loppers or hand pruning shears to cut off any weak or damaged branches, or any that interfere with the upward symmetry of the plant.
Prune After PlantingAt planting time, use loppers or hand pruning shears to cut off any weak or damaged branches, or any that interfere with the upward symmetry of the plant.
Cut the branches off about 1/4 inch above a healthy bud node or side shoot.
Cut the branches off about 1/4 inch above a healthy bud node or side shoot.
Remove Dead or Damaged Wood
Because a deciduous type is pruned in mid-summer to fall, dead limbs are generally easy to identify because they will be producing no leaves. Cut these limbs away using a pruning saw, all the way back to a fork.
Remove Dead or Damaged WoodBecause a deciduous type is pruned in mid-summer to fall, dead limbs are generally easy to identify because they will be producing no leaves. Cut these limbs away using a pruning saw, all the way back to a fork.
Prune for Shape
Pruning for shape should be done between mid-summer and early fall with deciduous varietie
Prune for ShapePruning for shape should be done between mid-summer and early fall with deciduous varietie
Look for limbs that are overly long, interfering with the symmetry of the spreading growth habit, or any branches that rub together.
Look for limbs that are overly long, interfering with the symmetry of the spreading growth habit, or any branches that rub together.