magnolia

[foxyferret]

We have a lovely pink magnolia in the garden, just the common everyday magnolia. It has been there for years and always is beautiful in spring. I noticed today that next to the fat main trunk, another one has sprung up right next to it from below the ground. It is about 9ft tall and 2inches in diameter. (Our tree is big so did'nt notice before). Is this a sucker, another root or what? Don't know whether to chop it off or let it carry on growing right next to the main trunk. I think it would look a bit odd. Help please.

[Prudie]

I'd say it was a sucker that won't produce any good. I'd chop it off.

[woofgang]

If your magnolia is grafted, it will be a sucker and should be cut out. If the magnolia is not grafted and growing on its own roots, then it might make a second magnolia if you let it grow on a bit till it has its own roots then you dig round it carefully and sever it from the parent plant. I have a mimosa sapling that came off the parent tree in this way.

[Essell]

Magnolias should rarely be pruned, and then not until late spring, just after flowering because the cut will not heal at this time of year. Since you have to wait, you will see whether this small trunk has any true magnolia flowers. If so it is not a sucker. If you want to prune it anyway, do it about June just after flowering.

[foxyferret]

thank you to all of you. not sure if is grated, we inherited it when we moved in. It seems to grow on its own roots from what I can see. It seems to be forming the usual hairy buds so I will wait and see what happens. I have never pruned the tree as I know you should not and it really is picture in spring. Thanks again everyone.