Magnolia trees are popular to plant in landscapes in west-central Florida. However, they can rapidly grow in the first few years after planting, making it essential to perform regular maintenance. You might need the help of professionals offering tree services in Pinellas Park, FL, for tips on how to trim an overgrown magnolia tree.
Trimming Overgrowth Requires Careful Work
Learning how to trim a magnolia properly after it hasn’t had regular tree maintenance for a few years involves using careful techniques. One of the key magnolia tree trimming techniques to use when the plant is overgrown is to limit the percentage of live branches you remove. Trimming too much of the tree at once could create stress that makes the magnolia more susceptible to pest or disease infestation.
Professionals never remove more than 15% to 20% of the tree’s canopy during one trimming session. If the magnolia is significantly overgrown and needs more work, experts may repeat the trimming process annually over several years. Removing some of the overgrowth before giving the magnolia several months to recover is the best way to protect its health.
Professionals will create a trimming plan that keeps the tree healthy over its lifetime.
Tools Required To Trim Overgrown Magnolias
Learning how to trim an overgrown magnolia tree involves starting with the right tools for the job.
Sharpen your shears and loppers before using them. Sharp tools make clean cuts and give the tree the best chance at healing.
For larger branches and limbs, a chainsaw should work well. Always wear safety gear, such as eye protection and a hard hat, when using saws above your head.
Picking the Right Time of Year for Trimming
Learning how to trim an overgrown magnolia tree starts by doing the work at the right time of the year. The best time for trimming work depends on the species.
A deciduous magnolia that loses its leaves once a year should have its overgrowth trimmed during a period of dormancy. Professionals suggest trimming this species in late winter or early spring before any new buds begin to appear.
If you have an evergreen magnolia that doesn’t lose its leaves, trimming after it blooms is the right step to take. This usually occurs in early summer.
If you don’t know which species you have, ask a professional for help.
Removing Overgrowth From a Young vs. Older Magnolia
When trimming a younger overgrown magnolia, focus primarily on weak branches. You can work to improve the shape of the tree at the same time. If the younger magnolia is an evergreen variety, little or no trimming should be done.
You can trim mature overgrown deciduous and evergreen magnolias more aggressively, as long as you don’t remove too large a percentage of the live branches. You can trim the canopy height or width to improve its shape without harming the tree. Professionals have the tools and skills to safely and efficiently perform this work on a smaller specimen.
Safely Trimming Your Magnolias Is Easier When You Rely on the Experts at Stevens Tree Service
Trimming overgrown magnolia trees in Pinellas Park, FL, can be a difficult job for a homeowner to do. They can grow to 80 feet or taller, which makes shaping and maintaining magnolia growth a challenging process.
Learning how to trim an overgrown magnolia tree often starts with understanding proper tree trimming techniques. The professionals at Stevens Tree Service have the equipment and skills to safely work above the ground and deliver the desired results. We’ll advise you on the best time to trim magnolia trees, and we can set up annual inspections. For a free cost estimate, contact us today at (727) 734-8733.