how to shape and when to prune my Magnolia tree

selinasally

I planted this Magnolia on the Christening of my Daughter almost 23 years ago - then I moved house and had to dig it up- I put it in a pot and only planted it out about 4 years ago due to moving ... I really do not know how to start- despite it being 23 years old it is becoming shrub like and I really wanted it to become a tree - Any tips on how and when to prune/shape ? I have read it up but do get confused . I am new to gardening again ...

selinasally

selinasally

Sorry I can’t seem to get photos the right way round

BobTheGardener

Do you know which variety it is?  The form of it looks a bit like one of my M. stellata (aka Star Magnolia) and those don't grow into very big trees at all.

https://www.rhs.org.uk/plants/10721/magnolia-stellata/details

They are best not pruned at all (apart from removing dead/damaged/diseased wood) and any pruning needs to be done in mid-summer.

selinasally

the flowers are like the typical pinky large magnolia flower- not like stellata ...ill see if I can find a pic of it in flower

BobTheGardener

There are some good pics of several varieties here which may help:

https://www.ornamental-trees.co.uk/magnolia-trees-c37

THere are several common 'dwarf' varieties - there's a tickbox on the left to narrow it down to those.

selinasally

Thanks Bob - yes looks very much like soulangeana. I have very thin whispy long shoots- I think they are called water shoots maybe ? that have come up- OK I will leave her alone and see what happens this season and prune afterwards in mid summer - she flowers early almost always in flower at my daughters Birthday end of March 

Silver surfer

selinasally said:

Sorry I can’t seem to get photos the right way round

Have turned pics for you.
In the 1st pic below, there is a very badly damaged /dead short branch.
Would recommend you remove asap.
Really need to see flowers.
Magnolia soulangeana can grow into large trees.

https://www.google.com/search?q=magnolia+x+soulangeana+tree&tbm=isch&ved=2ahUKEwiKt9HkioDvAhULWxoKHW7aCCQQ2-cCegQIABAA&oq=magnolia+x+soulangeana+tree&gs_lcp=CgNpbWcQDDICCAA6BAgAEEM6BggAEAgQHlD7IVjPK2COQWgAcAB4AIABfogBxQOSAQM0LjGYAQCgAQGqAQtnd3Mtd2l6LWltZ8ABAQ&sclient=img&ei=TP80YIrhO4u2ae60o6AC&bih=579&biw=1280&client=firefox-b-d

selinasally

Do you mean this one 

selinasally

The little one in the middle ?

Silver surfer

selinasally said:

Do you mean this one 

No ..the one higher up...just above your red line
Looks to be about 6" long with no buds /flowers.
See trimmed pic below.

If it were mine I would be very tempted to remove the branch that is growing from the soil to the left of the main trunk.It would leave you with just one trunk.