Alright, so I tackled pruning my Jane magnolia today, and let me tell you, it was a bit of a project. This magnolia, it’s a beauty when it’s in bloom, but boy, does it get unruly if you don’t keep on top of it. So, I rolled up my sleeves and got to work.
First off, I waited until after it finished blooming. That’s the key, you see. You gotta prune it when those flowers are done and gone, right at the tail end of spring. That’s when I jumped in. Once those flowers start wilting, it’s your cue.
I grabbed my shears and loppers – gotta have the right tools, you know? I made sure to clean them before starting. Sterilized those tools so I am not going to spread any nastiness to the tree.
Then, I started snipping away. I focused on the branches that were crossing over each other, the ones that looked weak or damaged, and any that were just plain out of place. The goal is to keep the tree healthy and looking good, right? And also it will reduce the flowers next season if you prune too much, so I did not prune too much.
- Waited until after the blooming season.
- Gathered my trusty shears and loppers.
- Clean those tools.
- Started pruning, focusing on shape and removing the dead stuff.
It’s not just about making it look pretty, though. Pruning helps prevent rot and encourages new growth for the next season. I was careful not to overdo it because you don’t want to stress the tree out. This Jane magnolia is a deciduous one, so it drops its leaves in the fall. I pruned it in mid-summer to early autumn.
I focused on maintaining an open crown with a uniform shape, just like the experts recommend. Whenever I could, I cut back to a fork or the trunk, which is supposed to be better for the tree.
Finished Product
By the time I was done, the magnolia was looking much happier, and I was pretty pleased with myself. It’s a bit of work, but it’s worth it to keep your Jane magnolia healthy and beautiful. Plus, it’s kind of satisfying to see the results of your hard work, isn’t it?
