Or not? I suck at trimming trees and I am afraid to butcher it and have it's looks suffer for life. Any hints on how to shape this 7 foot tree? Do I trim the lower branches to be less bushy? Or do I leave many branches so that it blooms nicely in the late winter? On a side, there are 3 odd flowers blooming on leafed branches. They usually bloom before it leafs out. I can't send a pic right now from the hospital but I will at a later time.

Out of the hospital yet?

Yessir! Thanks for asking, John. Dh came home last Thursday. Adjustment living in a wheelchair situation was, well, quite and adjustment but we're working it. I updated on the Sandbox thread. I forgot about my trimming question! I am forgetful and preoccupied a lot lately! I do have magnolia pics. Lemme go look for them. :D

No rush, just looking to help out if the issue is still on the front burner.

Pruning can take a back seat to many more important things in life; there'll be time to take care of it.

Glad to hear you're back home Cheryl. Saucer Magnolia (Magnolia x soulangeana) re-blooms a bit when it leafs out. Is this the tree you have?

It's a shorter Tulip Magnolia. I was thinking about it yesterday. I need to take new pictures. Thanks for reminding me. Here are the pics of the late blooms on leaves.

Beautiful blooms.

This is what I want the tree to look like next spring



Is there a way to trim this one so it will look like that?? Any help would be appreciated. I am not good at trimming trees. There must be "rules" to follow? If somehow you could show me which branches to cut off, I would be so appreciative!

Here is the base of the tree:



East View


West View


Back View showing more branches.