Thank you all. My star magnolia is going to be a shrub. At my elevation in the mountains, when we get snow, it is the heavy, wet, gloppy stuff that can cause breakage.
Leftwood, I agree that I prefer to see the natural form of a plant and prune for the health of the plant and for the overall look of how the plant works where it is sited. I don't want to force it to look dense. I just want it to look healthy.
So, now that the decision has been made to let the plant be a shrub, how do I shape it ? I am thinking that if I get the basic structure of the plant right at this stage of its life, it will be easier to maintain it as time goes by.
In its current site, the plant doesn't need to be taller to be effective.
Here's a photo taken from the almost the same angle this spring.
From the same side of the plant, but with me standing on the stairs looking down.
From the other side of the plant.
Of course, it has grown some this season, but it still has the same growth habit shown in the photos of my previous post. Now that I am looking at it as a shrub, I am not sure about my pruning cuts again. In these, photos, you can't see where the leader was removed by the nurseryman, but you can get a sense of how it is sited and how it looks after it has leafed out.
Thank you, so very much for your patience.
@greene, I'll be happy to send you cuttings in the spring. I am guessing I will have plenty of material to share.
Smiles,
Lyn
