Hi everyone !
In NY, Zone 7b, trying to keep this tree at a certain height.
I know pruning is usually done after blooming, but it grows too fast( 7-8' a year), and by mid-summer it needs pruning the height again.
So, I have been pruning back to the same height in early October.
They are all shoots that have not turned woody yet. Trying to keep it to about 20-23' tall.
If I want to cut it lower, it wood be pruning into the thicker woody branches.
What time of year is best for this harder pruning to be done ?
Thank you in advance
J

Hi! raf108, ideally magnolia grandiflora should not be pruned because they grow with a perfect and beautiful shape. What is your reason to keep this tree at 20 to 23' tall?

Hi Kevalsha,
This tree was planted about 5-6' from our house, which has roof close to the top of the tree if it gats higher.
We have a 120 year old house with an old cedar roof covered with old shingles.
So, it can't be allowed to grow as it would normally grow.
Thanks

I don't think this is going to end well. The roots are very likely to cause damage from below, and the width will be a constant battle.



This tree is 12-15 feet from the house. The tree is about 45 years old.


The same tree 10 years ago, age 35.

purpleinopp said: I don't think this is going to end well. The roots are very likely to cause damage from below, and the width will be a constant battle.

• Southern Magnolia (Magnolia grandiflora)
• Uploaded by tarev

• Southern Magnolia (Magnolia grandiflora)
• Uploaded by sedumzz

This tree is 12-15 feet from the house. The tree is about 45 years old.

• Southern Magnolia (Magnolia grandiflora)
• Uploaded by purpleinopp

The same tree 10 years ago, age 35.

• Southern Magnolia (Magnolia grandiflora)
• Uploaded by purpleinopp

Thanks , but this tree was pruned when young so as to not have any low branches.
It grows in the shade of a huge Japanese maple and american holly.
No roots causing problems with foundation or basement. Also, all the photos show trees grown in full open area, probably in full sun as well !
Guess I will just repeat my pruning each October.
Cheers

Raf, happy to reply. I wish you the best!

The last tree I put pics of had the lower limbs removed too, as seen in the last pic. Something that has been done at least 5 more times in the 10 years since that pic and the one above it, using a chainsaw to remove truckloads of material to keep the lower limbs off of the ground.