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Snow-Damaged Magnolia: Prune in Spring, Not Now

Snow-damaged magnolia with broken branches

Question: 17-ft magnolia lost 5 branches above 6-ft Y's in heavy snow. Top center gone. Top at 6 ft or leave?

Answer

Wait until after last frost in spring. Pruning now causes dieback at cuts. Spring sap flow will spur new buds. Tree will look bushy for a few years; later thin to restore form. Patience yields best recovery.

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