Magnolia trees are generally low-maintenance, and that applies to winter care. These trees typically need little care to survive winter, and proper planning ensures your trees will be healthy and loaded with flowers by spring. Magnolia trees are hardy in zones 4 through 9, so trees in zones 4 and below will need additional care to help them get through the winter. Magnolia tree winter care is based on whether the tree is deciduous or evergreen.
Protecting Magnolia Tree in Winter
Deciduous Magnolia trees need little, if any, winter care. Spread mulch around the base to protect the roots from cold temperatures. Young trees, especially those grown in areas prone to gusty winds, may benefit from being staked for the first year or two. You can wrap landscape fabric around the stakes to protect against chilly winds. Established deciduous Magnolias should not need this extra protection.
Evergreen Magnolia trees need protection from cold winter weather, as many are only hardy to zone 6. For borderline hardy trees, try wrapping it directly or drive stakes in the ground around it and wrap the fabric around the supports. In areas outside their growing range, Magnolia trees will need to be potted and moved indoors.
Cutting Back Magnolia Tree For Winter
Remove dead or damaged branches at any time of the year, but take time to inspect the plant in the fall for damage. Trim dead growth far enough back until you find live growth. Save maintenance pruning for the spring or summer after flowering is complete. Magnolia trees bleed sap during the winter and spring from pruning cuts, which can stress the tree. They also bloom on old wood, so pruning in the fall will reduce the number of spring flowers.
Magnolia Tree Winter Care in Pots
Potted Magnolia trees often need to be relocated to a protected area out of freezing temperatures. Evergreen and deciduous cultivars may need to spend the winter in a shed, garage, or basement if they are not fully winter hardy. The winter home does not necessarily need to be heated, as long as the temperature doesn’t dip much below freezing. Deciduous Magnolia cultivars grown in climates with warm winter weather can overwinter outdoors without extra protection.
Watering Magnolia Tree in Winter
Deeply water Magnolia trees in the fall. Once they go dormant, the plants will not need much water and can typically sustain themselves on natural precipitation alone. Magnolia trees without access to rainfall will need periodic watering to keep the roots from drying out.
Growing Magnolia Tree Indoors
Magnolia trees need high levels of sunlight and do not make the best houseplants. Deciduous trees drop their foliage and are not visually appealing during the winter. Evergreen Magnolia trees retain their glossy foliage and can overwinter indoors. However, these trees require full sunlight and are not likely to thrive and bloom indoors.
Steps To Care For Magnolia Tree in Winter
Magnolia tree winter care is simple. Spread organic mulch around the tree's base and deeply water in the fall. Young trees or trees grown in cold climates may need to be wrapped in fabric.
Step 1 - Deeply water the tree in late fall to saturate the root system.
Step 2 - Spread organic mulch to keep the ground damp and insulate against cold temperatures.
Step 3 - Move potted plants to a protected area.
Step 4 - In cold regions, wrap young trees or evergreen types in fabric to protect them against strong wind and cold temperatures.