What is the proper way and time of year for trimming my newly planted (August/09) Magnolia tree in Bakersfield, CA?
You didn’t mention which variety of Magnolia you have, but the general rule of thumb when trimming flowering plants is to trim them within a couple weeks of when they finish blooming. This allows trees that set flower buds on “old wood” time to set their buds for next year. The reason for this timing is that if flower buds are already set, and you trim in the fall or early spring, flower buds will be removed. (Photo: Star Magnolia) When trimming trees, try not to leave any stubs, but don’t cut so close to the trunk that you damage the swollen area at the base of the branch known as the branch collar. To direct growth, trim branches just beyond side branches that are growing in the direction you wish to promote growth, which is usually outward. Remove branches growing inward, crossing branches, and of course, dead branches. Always try to make clean cuts and prune with the proper tools: hand pruners for smaller branches, loppers for medium sized branches, and a pruning saw for larger bra
