Trees With Multiple Stems

Question

i have a yellow bird magnolia that has several stems coming from thbase so it is more like a bush than a tree. how do i train it to be a tree? i don’t want to cut all the stems off and pick one to be the main trunk. probable should do it after it has blossomed in the spring. maybe cut a few at a time?

Answer 1

Magnolias and other trees are usually trained or grafted young to create that perfect "tree" shape. Pruning a more mature tree to just one main trunk may not be the ideal situation. But, yes, if picking off slender stems one by one near the base may possibly create the shape you desire, you can do that once the flowers fade.

Happy gardening!