when is the best time to prune Magnolia if ice damaged happened to it over the winter? also, I was told that Magnolias "molt"? during the spring..is this what could be causing my tree (and others in my area) to look sick and yellow? thanks!

Reply to post by Melissa, on May 09, 2002 at 13:29:34:

Late spring pruning is recommended; large pruning cuts are not.
Try to minimize the size of wounds. Keep as much of the leaves as possible when pruning out ice-broken branches.
Evergreen trees shed older leaves as growth resumes and new leaves are produced in spring.
They will shed more heavily some years, especially if the leaves have been under stress for lack of moisture.
The leaves look yellow before they fall.

Reply to post by Mark Goodwin, on May 09, 2002 at 13:29:34:

I agree with Mark. Several magnolias here look terrible now; my theory is the old leaves, even the ones which won't fall, droop from lack of moisture because most of the tree's "juice" is going into new growth.
After broken limbs are removed, two things can be done to reshape the tree. Directional reduction pruning and the use of arbor-tie or other strapping to train branches to fill gaps are too complicated to describe here.
A certified arborist with magnolia experience should be able to help.