Hi. I planted four "Nothern Belle" Sweetbay Magnolias a few years ago. I didnt wrap them the over their 1st winter and the two of them planted closest to my house had bad trunk damage (maybe winter burn ?) about 2 feet up the trunk. I have let them try to repair their wounds for 2 years. This will be their 3rd spring post damage. The damaged areas were about 40 percent of the trunk circumference but have calloused over quite a bit. In order to avoid having them break off at the weak spot on the trunk in the future, I am considering cutting them off below the damage to see if they regrow. I am unsure (A) if this is a good idea and (B) where is best to make the cut? Any insight on how to best approach this would be appreciated. Thanks
by RPhred23
3 Comments
No need to cut it off. It’s doing a good job sealing it up. It’s so young this won’t matter in any significant way in its strength
I’m pretty sure you could cut it below the scar and it’ll re sprout, you’d just have to pick a leader. However it’s a small tree and seems to have healed well so far, I feel it may be fine as is.
Definitely not a good idea. Horrible idea.