Magnolia wrapped with Wisteria

R1chard

Hello All,

I moved into a house with an amazing Magnolia in the front garden, it stands rougly 15ft tall.  It is wrapped heavily with Wisteria, it looks like it is restricting the trunk of the Magnolia and the growth of the tree is becoming patchy, possible due to the weight of the Wisteria.  The Magnolia is still growing and flowering its just there are large gaps where the tree just hasnt grown.

Picture:

 

https://www.dropbox.com/s/o2nu3a8olsasxz5/photo.JPG?v=0mwng

 

I would like to keep both healthy but if necessary I would choose the Magnolia over the Wisteria.  How do I save them and keep them healthy?

 

 

Dovefromabove

I think that this is obviously an intentional planting, and speaking for myself, I'd go with it.  I think I'd watch the magnolia over the next few months, and if there are some branches that are obviously dead, then I'd prune them out next winter - other than that I'd let them both do their thing - I imagine that they are quite an impressive sight - the sort of thing that if it was on my regular commute route I'd envy the owner and look forward to seeing each morning. 

I would keep them well mulched with good compost or leaf mould, and ensure that they don't dry out in dry spells - and enjoy   I don't have any experience of growing a wisteria up a magnolia, but I don't think that the wisteria will strangle the magnolia - which magnolia is it, by the way?

R1chard

Thanks for your quick response, we think its Magnolia × soulangeana as it flowers before leaves appear and the flowers are large and saucer shaped.  Given its size we think its been here since the house was built in the 30's.

Thanks again

Richard

Dovefromabove

It sounds magnificent - I'd love to see photos of the whole tree, and when the wisteria is in bloom 

blackest