Sweetbay Magnolia Tree Pruning

Prune sweetbay magnolia trees after the white flowers fade.

Typically grown as an ornamental tree because of the attractiveness of the foliage, flowers, fruits and bark, sweetbay magnolia adds a natural beauty to the surroundings. This semi-evergreen is native to the United States and grows best in partly shaded areas with moist and acidic soil. Caring for a sweetbay magnolia tree calls for annual pruning after the flowers have faded in the summer, since the buds emerge on growth that occurred last season.

Things You'll Need

• Hand shears
• Lopping shears
• Pruning saw

Instructions

1. Stand far from the tree and determine what branches need to be removed. Try to allow the magnolia to grow as naturally as possible and only prune what is needed to maintain the overall shape and health of the tree.

2. Thin the canopy of the magnolia by cutting branches back to the point where they meet a larger branch or the main trunk of the tree. Always leave the branch collar on the trunk when removing large branches.

3. Prune off all weak or damaged branches and any crossing over the center of the magnolia tree. Make your pruning cuts at an angle into a healthy part of the branch.

4. Remove any suckers emerging around the ground surrounding the sweetbay, or on the tree's trunk and branches. These take vital nutrients from the tree.

5. Trim any branches on the magnolia that are growing too long, and get rid of any growing too low on the trunk.

6. Cut about a 1/4 inch above a bud on a branch to promote growth at that point. Make this type of cut to fill in empty spots in the tree's canopy.

7. Get rid of any diseased branches at any time of the year on the sweetbay magnolia. Make your cut into a healthy section and sterilize your equipment with bleach or rubbing alcohol before using it again.

Tips & Warnings

• Always use sharp tools and the correct one for the job. Use hand shears to trim tree branches 1/4 inch in diameter or less, lopper shears for branches up to 1 1/2 inches and a pruning saw for branches more than 1 inch in diameter.

• Sweetbay magnolia trees don't heal well when pruned during the dormant period.

References

• Lady Bird Johnson Wildflower Center: Magnolia Virginiana L.
• Purdue University; Pruning Ornamental Trees and Shrubs; Michael Dana, et al.; April 2001

Resources

• University of Florida; Magnolias; Gary W. Knox; June 1993