Magnolia tree

[Andrewslater]

Wonder if any keen gardeners or arborists on here can help.

I have what was a fairly impressive magnolia tree in my garden but i have done very little with it since moving in 4 years ago. Its got a little bit unruly and lost its nice shape.

Now the leave are falling off is this a good time to trim the tree back to the desired shape in preparation for spring, or should I wait?

Thanks

 

[Cyres]

They don't like being pruned. I suggest try a little bit and see what happens.
At present I can't lay my hands on my pruning bible.
D

 

[Cootmeurer]

Don’t prune now. Prune only in late spring or early summer after bloom. Prune extremely sparingly, only dead/dying growth. Very intolerant to moderate/heavy pruning.

 

[Andrewslater]

Thanks for the responses, i’ll leave it and proceed with caution in late spring.

 

[sion]

As others have said, they don’t like being pruned. If you take too much off you’ll end up with a lot of epicormic growth (water shoots) which shoot straight up and won’t flower.
You’ll end up doing the opposite of what you’re aiming for.