Forcing low shoots on sweetbay magnolia

[Klaar]

We planted a group of Magnolia virginiana last fall. They are about 12' tall multi-stem, B&B. The client would like to see more foliage on the lower limbs. Aside from thining the tops or an obscene act like covering the ground underneath with reflective material to increase light on lower bark, do you have any tricks you know of? Would a certain fertilizer help?

 

[D Mc]

Klaar, we see this is your first post, welcome to the site!

This might be a great time to suggest to your client that switching to decaf might be warranted. Seriously, these trees were just planted last fall (right?) we are not even well into spring yet, remember trees take 1 year per diameter inch to re-establish themselves. You might not see anything significant until the root/shoot ratio completes that establishment.

We would not recommend thinning or fertilization, which would just encourage elongation not density, nor would that release dormant buds from apical dominance. Time, the trees need time.

If you haven't already, mulch. Out to the dripline. Organic mulch.

Good luck.

D and S Mc

 

[John Paul Sanborn]

Allowing the plants to establish roots is a good idea. Hormones (auxins) in the buds help stimulate root growth, which is why post transplant trimming is discouraged these days. You loose over 90% of the root system in harvest.

Since sprouting is a stress response to loss of auxins up stem, one nursery/orchard practice is to cut the bark above a dormant bud to cause it to grow.