Magnolia Stellata - worth digging up?

[Ply]

Acquaintances are redoing their garden and getting rid of this magnolia.

I've read up on a few threads so I do know they can be made into a bonsai, but other than that my knowledge on this species is very limited.

Pictures aren't great but it's a four trunk tree iirc. It's got little to no growth down low so it would need to be able to stand a hard chop and backbud well, otherwise it's a definite no go. It's pretty big though, and otherwise it's going in the trash. Is it worth digging it up?

 

[Ply]

Pics

 

[PowerTap]

I have a Stellata from nursery sick and is possibly my favorite tree in my limited collection. I'm not sure what your friends timeline is, but I might consider an air layer further up the tree. I think those trunks are going to be hard to do anything constructive with.

 

[BrianBay9]

Just remember the flowers will never get any smaller. If that doesn't bother you, the air layer sounds like the way to go.

 

[Wires_Guy_wires]

Garden centers have them for about 17-20 euros a piece.
I wouldn't air layer.

Do stick around for the dig though, magnolia wood and roots smell amazing.

 

[leatherback]

They pop buds from the trunk all the time in my garden. I am pretty confident you will get good backbudding on it.

I would certainly help dig and see whether you can find a decent way to cut it back and rebuild.