Overgrown magnolia

I've just moved to a new cottage (Magnolia Cottage) and I have two magnolia trees growing against the walls. When do I prune these? How do I prune these? Can I cut them with a hedge trimmer as you would cutting a hedge?

 

Hello and , @jezzwhizz. I'm sorry I can't help you, but what a beautiful cottage! I hope you will be very happy there, and I also know you will get good advice on here.

 

@jezzwhizz . I think I would be a bit worried about the trees being so close to the building. The roots travel a long way and could interfere with pipes and footings

 

To me, not a magnolia grower that is a tricky one.
Did they flower well this spring, do you know the species/variety?

 

I would seeiously consider removing them Jezzwhizz
For me, it would be a worry.
Magnolia roots can be very robust and aggressive. I dont grow magnolias but they make huge specimens down here...huge roots as well as canopy

 

have 4 magnolia's . Steps in pruning. First look at the branches and see which one crosses on another and cut off the one that is going an undesired direction. 2nd step, cut off all branches that are going straight up to heaven. 3rd step, cut off all branches from the ground up to about 4 foot of the tree. now step back. step five, as your stepping back look at the form of the tree, see where you want to nip some branches for a better form. Step 6 now that it is smaller, if your able to dig the whole thing out and move it, you have less. but if it looks decent leave it till next year. Me after all that stress, I 'd wait a year then move it if that still is the answer. as it looks full in the picture, it may be better with a good pruning and look ok.

 

they look far too big to think of moving them, and I imagine the roots are underneath the house already.

 

I have 3 Magnolia Stellata, you know the ones that grow quite small....wrong. God only knows what root stock was used on them if they are grafted but they have grown really much much bigger than expected and are beginning to outgrow their allotted spaces. I meant to prune them post flowering but was so busy doing other things I forgot. Can I still prune now and not loose next years flowers? @shiney I presumed I should have pruned immediately after flowering in April. Certainly I found they don't like being moved much. I moved 1 of my 3 a couple of years ago. Despite being really careful and keeping it well watered it sulked for a year and has only now started to perk up. It is a good 3 ft overall smaller than the other 2 which haven't been moved.

 

I agree @Tetters , but someone or the initial person talked about it. so left that door open, for "if" they still considered "after" the pruning.

 

I know of a couple who own a double cottage swamped with a massive wisteria. Looks wonderful in spring. They also have a woodland setting there with lots of big shrubs and trees extremely close to them.

The floors are cracking, flooding is regular and I wonder what I would do if in their position.

Removal of these big plants could cause other problems but they already are causing damage.

In comparison the magnolias in jezzwhizz's garden are nearer and seemingly bigger than those I have already described.....!!!