Too much pruning of the canopy, and a magnolia can be sunburned.

The methods of pruning magnolia differ slightly depending on whether your tree is an evergreen or deciduous key in.

This is not something to be overly concerned about, as a healthy tree can handle it.

Closeup of a gardener using a pruning saw on a flowering magnolia tree

The Spruce / Jayme Burrows

Judicious pruning and ample sunlight can help keep them upright.

Cut the branches off about 1/4 inch above a healthy bud node or side shoot.

Cut these limbs away using a pruning saw, all the way back to a fork.

Materials needed for pruning magnolia trees

The Spruce / Jayme Burrows

Warning

Magnolia wood is extremely heavymuch heavier than it appears.

Prune for Shape

Pruning for shape should be done between mid-summer and early fall with deciduous varieties.

A ladder will be needed to reach higher branches; confirm to wear a hard hat.

Pruning weak branches from a deciduous magnolia tree after planting

The Spruce / Jayme Burrows

These can be cut off flush.

Prune lightly in early spring for evergreen types.

Pruning at this time should aim at maintaining the tree’s pyramidal shape.

Pruning off magnolia branches that are dead

The Spruce / Jayme Burrows

Cut branches back to a natural fork in the tree.

Pruning a deciduous magnolia for shape with loppers

The Spruce / Jayme Burrows

Using a hand saw to remove dead magnolia tree branches

The Spruce / Jayme Burrows

Removing suckers and waterspouts off of the trunk of the magnolia tree

The Spruce / Jayme Burrows

Using loppers to remove lower branches on an evergreen magnolia tree

The Spruce / Jayme Burrows

Removing dead wood on an evergreen magnolia with pruning shears

The Spruce / Jayme Burrows

Pruning the underside of an evergreen magnolia tree

The Spruce / Jayme Burrows

Removing suckers from the trunk of an evergreen magnolia tree

The Spruce / Jayme Burrows