Can you bonsai a magnolia tree?

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asked Nov 24, 2023 in Gardening by Cay2020 (3,340 points)
Can you bonsai a magnolia tree?

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answered Sep 20 by Take8seat (29,260 points)
You can bonsai a magnolia tree and the best magnolia trees for making a bonsai tree from are the purple magnolia or the Magnolia liliiflora which has thinner twigs and smaller leaves and flowers which make it a great tree for bonsai purposes.

You can prune a magnolia tree to keep it small by removing the selected branches and when you do cut or prune the magnolia tree you should aim to keep the crown balanced and open by pruning stems back to the trunk.

Most magnolia trees grow best in moist, well-drained, slightly acid soils but neutral to slightly alkaline soils are also suitable for growth.

Magnolias are adaptable to clay, loam or sand soils, but most grow poorly in wet or poorly drained soils. Well-established plants can be moderately drought tolerant.

Magnolia tree wood is good for things such as firewood and for making things with such as manufacture of furniture (main use), doors and millwork, and pallets.

Magnolias are classified as a hardwood tree although they are evergreen and do not lose their leaves during the fall and winter months.

The wood of this tree is creamy in color and often used for crafting and decorative purposes.

It is occasionally cut and used as firewood.

Magnolia is a large genus of about 210 to 340 flowering plant species in the subfamily Magnolioideae of the family Magnoliaceae.

The magnolia tree is named after French botanist Pierre Magnol.

Magnolia is an ancient genus.

Appearing before bees evolved, the flowers are theorized to have evolved to encourage pollination by beetles.

Magnolias grow best in fertile, well-drained, slightly acidic soil in full sun.

Choose a sheltered spot that is not in a low-lying frost pocket as frost can damage the flowers.

If you live in a cold part of the country, choose a variety that flowers later.

Magnolia trees are prized for their large flowers that perfume the balmy spring air with a sweet, heady fragrance.

Their magnificent tulip- or star-shaped flowers can be as large as saucers when fully opened.

They range in color from pink, purple, white and even yellow.

Some varieties have double blossoms.

Plant magnolia trees far enough away to prevent them from overhanging your house, but avoid planting them too close to your property easement in the front of the house so that drivers can have a direct line of sight.

Whatever their size, magnolias are low-maintenance plants that don't require frequent watering.

 In general, you should water magnolia trees once a week during the first two growing seasons and twice a month in subsequent years.

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