Pruning/Shaping Magnolia

[beaverb01]

Never had to do this before, but took down a large white oak from over the house for one of my customers, now they want me to trim and shape their Magnolia.
When is the best time to do this? How aggressive can I be with the shaping and limb removal? As far as I can tell, it has never been trimmed. The tree is about 45' tall by 16"dba and seems healthy. It is shaded by oaks and has become misshapen over the years as it reached for the sunlight.
As always, I want to do the best for my customers and do not want to do anything that will harm this tree.
Your input is greatly appreciated!

Beaver

 

[John Paul Sanborn]

It is always difficult to get suppressed canopy to become aesthetic.

One is usually asked by the client to remove too much dynamic mass from the tree.

I usually tell people that it will take several years to get something that will look better.

The full side is slightly raised and thinned, but the client must realize that the job cannot be done all at once.

On the influenced side heading cuts may be used to redirect the growth of branches to fill out the canopy.

If it is possible to get a symmetrical canopy, it will take years. This may never happen.

 

[alanarbor]

Magnolias often respond to pruning by sending out lots of water sprouts, so you'll need to be conservative.

As JPS said, it will require years to properly do the job, requiring several stages of pruning.

A photo of the tree as it sits might help us to get some ideas that would be more specific and helpful

 

[beaverb01]

Thanks for the responses. That's basically what I was afraid of. One side of the tree is pretty far out of balance with the others as it gets more light. I was thinking of trimming this side and leaving the others alone to try and promote more uniform growth. I did tell the customer that it would probably take more than one trimming to get good results.
Can Magnolias be trimmed several times a year, ie; Spring and Fall?
How much of the limb can safely be removed?
Thanks again,

Beaver

 

[John Paul Sanborn]

Can Magnolias be trimmed several times a year, ie; Spring and Fall?
How much of the limb can safely be removed?
Thanks again,

Beaver

Here in MKE/WI we work on them year round, but we try to avoid a taking more then 20% per growing season. If there is an annual cycle being sold, then maybe 5-10% of the dynamic mass per visit.

As with any slow growing tree, less is better because they will not close wounds very fast.

 

[treeseer]

Here in MKE/WI we work on them year round, but we try to avoid a taking more then 20% per growing season. If there is an annual cycle being sold, then maybe 5-10% of the dynamic mass per visit.

As with any slow growing tree, less is better because they will not close wounds very fast.

Magnolias in VA grow medium fast unless it's in the mtns. and are very forgiving of pruning hard, tho yes they watersprout if you get medieval on it.

JPS why do you say to raise? Raising magnolias guarantees a leaf litter nuisance 365 days per year. Let em drape! O and on a young magnolia you could fudge those %s up a little.

Shorten those long branches back to laterals be sure to get the upper ones too so every branch end still gets sun. Also consider physically pulling some of those branches over and tying them together somehow to fill the gap somewhat. Maybe bang in an ornamental post to hold em.

Is the trunk vertical? Yeah a pic would be good.

 

[beaverb01]

Thanks for all the great feedback! I will not be able to get any pics for a while, but will post when I can. I will not be raising the canopy AT ALL. I only want to make the tree look a little better. I agree that symmetry is not all important, but this tree looks pregnant on one side and the neighbors on that side of the property are a PITA. I'll try to get some pics out next week.
Thanks again to all!

Beaver

 

[John Paul Sanborn]

JPS why do you say to raise? Raising magnolias guarantees a leaf litter nuisance 365 days per year. Let em drape!

Quite often we find them in small yards where they interfere with hardscape traffic. It is move the sidewalk or raise the tree. Many times the lower limbs have been headed back so much there is nothing to work with.

Us being in a USDA Zone 5b most of the large mag's get spring frost damage every 4-5 years, so heavy pruning is contraindicated.

Laubner (sp? I do not have my Dirr handy) does especially well. Star is the best, with true USD Z4 cvs. Saucer are problematic. The rest we rarely see.

 

[treeseer]

Star is the best, with true USD Z4 cvs. Saucer are problematic. The rest we rarely see.

This being VA and that size i automatically assumed grandiflora. but they don't call them "southern" magnolia for nothing; not a WI plant. Makes me not miss WI at all tho i am happy to go to MN this month for a little fall color.

O and beaverbo keep in mind that if you had pruned the white oak to clear the house instead of :chainsawguy: removing it, you could have work pruning both trees for the rest of your life!

:deadhorse:

o and here's a flashback of climbing a grandiflora in flower:

"Her rounded form was waving in the wind, dazzling me into submission. Her deep green lustrous sheen pulled me helplessly toward her. I was lost in a tremulous trance. I had to experience oneness with this being, so I ardently ascended. Her long, spreading limbs enveloped me in their embrace as I thrust my way into her canopy. Through the layers of leathery emerald verdure I glimpsed the Carolina-blue sky. As I slithered further out her limbs, the delicious fragrance of the nectar glistening on her pure white petals wafted up my nostrils and intoxicated my mind. I was hers, totally, completely, and not at all discreetly."