I transplanted a volunteer seedling from Myrtle Beach to Maryland at least 15 years ago. I can’t recall but I think it suffered a bad winter dieback years ago and came back as a multi trunked shrub. It’s now about 10’ tall and blooms are rare, should I try to prune to a single stem, leave as is or get rid of it (shudder)?
Hopefully your zone is not just a bit chilly for your magnolia which would prevent it from flowering yet not cold enough to kill it. Do you see others blooming happily in your area?
Looking at yours it does not look robust with some branches having hardly any leaves. I wonder if it is just struggling to stay alive so it has no energy to set buds or maybe just haggard after winter.
I doubt being multi-trunked effects its flowering.
I would check the pH of the soil first. Make sure it is getting enough water. Maybe fertilize it with a good fertilizer. I wouldn't worry about giving it a higher nitrogen number which pushes green growth over flowering until you have a robust tree, then switch to a low nitrogen one to promote flowering. (If you have been feeding it with a high nitrogen fertilizer that could prevent flowering)
https://homeguides.sfgate.com/types-fertilizer-deepfeed-magnolia-tree-47774.html
General article on it you might find helpful.
https://homeguides.sfgate.com/reasons-magnolias-not-bloom-34182.html
I read magnolias love magnesium, which Epsom salts supply. I used to feed my roses with Epsom salts. They loved it. Easy to apply then water in.
https://www.chron.com/life/gardening/article/Using-Epsom-salts-to-induce-magnolia-blooms-1957220.php#:~:text=One%20basic%20recipe%20is%20to,Water%20in%20well.
Thanks for the advice. Yes, southern magnolias bloom quite well around here, just not this one. I’ll try fertilizing (since I never have).
