When do you prune a magnolia tree and how?

Generally, they should not be pruned except to correct a defect. The RHS site starts by saying 'don't prune them'.





The second site talks about the difference between deciduous and evergreen varieties in this regard. They believe that evergreen magnolia can be pruned as are most trees.

When do you prune a magnolia tree and how?
In general, avoid pruning established magnolias unless essential. Many species bleed and should only be pruned from summer to before midwinter.Where light pruning is necessary to shape young plants or restrict growth, prune in midsummer. Late flowering species, prune in spring. Many magnolias break from old wood and respond well, if necessary, to hard pruning at the correct season. Recovery is slow, because the tree directs the energy into wound healing in the first year. In general: remove water shoots, which develop around cuts, and shorten lanky young branches to maintain the desired shape of the tree or shrub.
Reply:I had mine pruned after it flowered and hired someone that knew what he was doing.
Reply:dont prune a mag.the only time is cutting out dead wood or if it is in the powerlines prune dead wood back to a live branch or it is dead to the trunk leave about 1 inch of dead woodsticking out.
Reply:As with most flowering plants you prune them after they flower. This is so that you do not remove next year's buds. Its as simple as that.

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