The Southern Magnolia (*Magnolia grandiflora*) is a total showstopper with its massive growth and glossy, year-round foliage. As an evergreen beauty, it loves to reach for the sky and spread its wings. However, when it comes to grabbing the shears, you’ve got to be a little careful. Here’s the lowdown on how to handle pruning without stressing out your tree.
Only prune your Southern Magnolia when necessary
Here’s the thing: pruning a *Magnolia grandiflora* can actually put the brakes on its growth and flower production. If you get too “snip-happy,” you might end up with unsightly gaps in the canopy or those weird, spindly water sprouts (epicormic shoots). Generally speaking, less is more with these trees. That said, there are a few good reasons to give it a trim.
You might want to prune if:
- You’re trying to keep a vigorous variety from taking over the yard.
- The crown is starting to look a bit thin or scraggly.
- You need to narrow down a tree that’s getting too wide for its space.
- You want to encourage thicker, denser growth.
Timing is everything when it comes to when to prune. The sweet spot is right at the end of winter. Most gardeners aim for late March. Just make sure you pick a day that isn’t freezing, and always give your tools a good cleaning before you start.
How to prune your Magnolia Grandiflora
The golden rule? Never go for a “radical” hard prune. It’s much better to take a slow-and-steady approach, trimming just a little bit at a time. Aim for a light maintenance prune once every year or two. Start by clearing out any dead, diseased, or dry wood. You should also clip back any branches that are growing inward or crossing over each other—basically, anything that’s getting in the tree’s own way.
Make sure your pruning shears are sharp and sterile (a quick wipe with disinfectant does the trick). If you end up making a cut larger than about an inch in diameter, it’s a good idea to apply some pruning wax to help it heal. One last tip: don’t cut back so far that you remove an entire year’s worth of growth. If you go too deep, the tree won’t be able to set new buds, and you’ll miss out on those gorgeous blossoms for the season!
