Have questions about magnolia tree care? Here's an introductory Q&A on magnolias. For instance, have you had trouble getting your magnolia tree buds to open? There are several potential culprits, including thrips, frost and rot due to extended periods of cold weather in spring (not much you can do about those last 2). Read more tips on magnolia tree care in this article.
Note on the Comments section below for magnolia tree care: As of 11/01/2008, 50 comments have been posted, and that's a good cut-off figure (it's getting too unwieldy). Please post any further questions on magnolia tree care in the Landscaping forum, rather than posting them here.
I realize this means a bit more work for you, but I'd like to reserve the Comments section for the function that it's best suited to serve: posting comments. The forum, by contrast, is set up in such a way that it's better suited for questions than is the Comments section. I look forward to answering your questions on magnolia tree care in the forum. And once you're a forum member, you're part of our community. See you there!
Read article: Magnolia Care
More: How a Tree Gets Its Scientific Name
Note on the Comments section below for magnolia tree care: As of 11/01/2008, 50 comments have been posted, and that's a good cut-off figure (it's getting too unwieldy). Please post any further questions on magnolia tree care in the Landscaping forum, rather than posting them here.
I realize this means a bit more work for you, but I'd like to reserve the Comments section for the function that it's best suited to serve: posting comments. The forum, by contrast, is set up in such a way that it's better suited for questions than is the Comments section. I look forward to answering your questions on magnolia tree care in the forum. And once you're a forum member, you're part of our community. See you there!
Read article: Magnolia Care
More: How a Tree Gets Its Scientific Name
Comments
I have a Magnolia Tree that is weeping sap and has a white substance on the branches. What could it be? Can the tree be saved, or must it be cut down. The sap is causing a problem on my house roof and the cars in the drive. Also causing flies and bees which are a problem.
Help!
I have heard of instances where the cause of such leaking of sap from magnolia trees is either aphid infestation or scale infestation: specifically, those pests are sucking the sap out of the magnolia trees and excreting it. Products for killing and/or controlling such pests are available at home improvement stores (tell them you suspect you have an aphid or scale problem on your magnolia tree and ask for their opinion).
WE have a magnolia tree that was planted about 3 1/2 years ago. It has been doing realy well, but my husband noticed tonight that is is cracking vertically. There have been horizontal cracks before that we were told were normal, but we are worried about the vertical crack. What is this and what can we do?
I haven’t heard of cracking as being a problem in magnolia tree care, specifically, but check out this Web site that deals with cracks in the trunks of trees, in general.
Planted a Magnolia 3 years ago, hasn’t flowered, Does it need fertilizer? What care can I give it?
hi.. well it took me 7 years to get a few flowers.. they r very fussy… needs 6to 8 hours of sunlight…and i have 2 tips for u…they love apple juice…. and if u have a dry aug and sept….. u need too water them very well for about a week for next years flowers…..
Magnolia trees (depending on variety) can take 3 or more years to bloom, so patience is definitely a virtue here. But an application of fertilizer, as long as you follow the directions properly, could certainly be a plus in your magnolia tree care. Plants need phosphorous to set bud.
Planted a Southern Magnolia specifically developed to plant in Northern New Jersey. It has bloomed from the second year. This year it bloomed very little and it is now losing many leaves -(many, many more than usual – some curling up and dying. What can be causing this and what can I do to counteract this problem?
LOT’S OF LEAVES FALLING OFF RAKE UP AT LEAST TWICE A DAY
Lots of leaves falling all year long. Whyso much?
The 2 problems you report for your southern magnolia tree could be unrelated. Lack of flowering could be due to any one of a number of factors, including killing of buds by a late frost in spring. As for the leaves falling off your southern magnolia tree, it’s hard to diagnose without being there, but keep in mind that scale insects are a frequent problem in magnolia tree care.
how do i get seeds frm magnolia tree flower? Do i wait till it blooms.
My magnolia tree care hasn’t extended to raising magnolias from seed (a daunting task). But from what I’ve read (although this may depend on the type of magnolia tree), you wait for your magnolia tree to flower and form a seed pod, which ripens by fall; then remove the seed pod to get at the seeds.
Can I move a small magnolia tree to another location which gets more sun
Yup, moving a small magnolia tree shouldn’t be a problem. Read these tips on transplanting trees.
Have heard about this tree to be effective in some ill domains like halitosis etc. Where can one buy this in a local market. Is it avaible for sell and where?.
We bought a house a year ago with a magnolia. It’s about 10 feet. Last fall it shed all of it’s leaves and this past spring barely any of them came back. Now, the last week of August all of the leaves have already fallen off. I have broken off all of the dead limbs. Can you tell me what is going on with our tree?
Sorry, Carrie, but I’d need more information than that (and, even then, it would be just an educated guess) to diagnose what’s wrong with your magnolia tree. For instance: type of magnolia tree, where you live, how much rain/irrigation it has received, how much sun it gets, any fertilizers you’ve used in the area, presence of any insects (or anything else that shouldn’t be on the tree), etc.
Loh,
Never heard of the halitosis connection. But in terms of where magnolia trees can be bought locally, I’d say try any nursery in your area that is known to sell trees. Never rule out any of the big chains (Home Depot, etc.), either, if you’re shopping for price.
I think it’s a Southern Magnolia. I was just told by the previous owner that it is a magnolia. We live in Louisville and the past two summers have been very dry. The tree gets about half a days sun and all we do is water it. I haven’t noticed any uncommon pests around our yard, just ants. We have never fertilized the tree. It was so full and beautiful last June and now it’s so sad and bare! Should I break off more of the dead limbs?
Thanks for providing more info, Carrie, about your magnolia tree. You ask, “Should I break off more of the dead limbs?” A rule of thumb for tree care in such cases is to ascertain where there is green underneath the bark (signaling life) and to prune off only where there’s brown (signaling death). To make this determination, take a sharp knife and make a small cut through the bark of your magnolia tree. Such pruning certainly can’t hurt.
Here’s my educated guess as to what may have sent your magnolia tree into decline. You say that you’ve had dry summers recently and that you’ve watered a lot to compensate. In such cases, folks frequently over-compensate and drown the roots (although there are too many variables involved for me to be able to say you need to supply it with X amount of water per week). If you have a clay soil, the chances of this happening go up dramatically. If you think it’s possible you’ve been over-watering, I’d ease up on the watering. The magnolia tree’s roots will have less top growth to support, anyhow, after your pruning, so it won’t require as much water.
Best of luck!
My magnolia has red seeds coming out from the part where it flowered. Can I plant these to grow a tree? If so, what do they like; dry, moist, shade, sun?
Susan,
If you live where it gets cold in winter, don’t plant the seeds from your magnolia tree now. Instead, put the seeds in a freezer bag filled with peat moss. Dampen the peat, seal the bag and put it in the fridge at about 40º. In late winter, sow the seeds in a container filled with a growing medium (a seed tray) and place the container in a sunny window. Don’t plant the magnolia tree sprouts outside until danger of frost has passed.
Plant your magnolia tree sprouts in full sun and in a well-drained, loamy soil that you keep evenly moist, but not wet.
saucer magnolia is looking like it is sunburn, the leaves are starting to look burnt, browning & looking thin. The last 2 springs ‘07 &’08 decreased blooms and 2008 some of the blooms looked like I described the leaves, which I thought it was from a late freeze. the tree is about 15yo, 15-20′tall and have been well taken care of (in requards to pruning regularly) I havent seen any pest and the bark is smooth looks normal. gets all day sun, water regually, I live in north texas.PLEASE HELP MY (TULIP) {I CALL IT}) TREE. I would hate to loose it.
I live in Portland Oregon and recently planted a magnolia tree in my front yard. I noticed the new growth is turning brown. What do you suggest I do?
Sal,
Ease up a bit on watering your magnolia tree for the rest of the growing season and see how it looks next spring. Healthy specimens (whether magnolia trees or otherwise) profit from fall watering; but the brown leaves make this a different situation.
Jena,
The brown leaves could be due to any of a number of factors — very difficult to diagnose over the Web. For instance, the problem could be either too much or too little water (both of which have to be considered in the context of soil drainage); or your soil could be nutrient-deficient (a soil test never hurts).
I purchased two Magnolia trees from Steins Gardens. Didn’t notice the leaves had black spots on them until they were already planted. Went back to the store, and ALL their Magnolias had these spots. They told me it was from moisture. The leaves turned brown and fell off. They told me this will happend every summer when it gets hot (I live in Wisconsin). They said not to worry – come Spring it will be fine. I’m worried – what do you say?
Connie,
What you probably have is something known in the magnolia tree care literature as “leaf spot.” The problem could very well have originated “from moisture,” as they told you, since leaf spot is a fungus. I’ve never experienced it on my own magnolia trees (then again, I may have types different from yours), but leaf spot reputedly isn’t a major concern. The recommendation is to rake up and properly dispose of the affected leaves, so the fungus doesn’t spread. Having said all that, I am still, of course, in no way making any predictions about how your magnolia trees will do next year (always risky business over the Web!).
Best of luck.
I am looking to plant a magnolia tree…I live in Denver(outside of Charlotte), NC and I am looking for help:
What type does better in my area?
What type of soil?
I guess what I am looking for is all of the important information in planting the tree and watching it grow successfully!
Thank you!
all i can tell u is when u get one… they r very fussy… they need alot of sun..6 hours of sunlight… if u have a dry aug and sept.. make sure u water the roots real good for about a week.. this gets it ready for the next year… and here is a tip.. they love apple juice
Teri,
For region-specific info on magnolia tree care and selection, it’s best to check with a local county extension. Here’s a Web site for one close to you (it provides phone numbers):
NC State
Magnolia roots are easily damaged. We had one that was looking a bit sickly. Roots were pretty much exposed in a lot of places, as the root system frequently poked up through the ground.
Had an arborist tell me that as a last resort, he would recommend covering those roots with soil to hold moisture and prevent nicks/cuts with lawn mowers. I build a flower bed with 6″ of soil over the top of the exposed roots, and the tree recovered nicely.
We have a large bush that looks similar to a magnolia however, in this climate I doubt if one would survive. Is there such a thing as a northern magnolia? This bush flowers in early spring and just lately it has pods that open to expose small red berries.
Jim,
I grow a couple types of magnolia trees in my zone 5 landscape — but nothing that puts out red berries.
I have a southern magnolia tree I live in central FL in Aug. we got hit with tropical storm Fay which I had about 2 feet of water on my property for about 10 days the tree is about 12′ tall I planted it about 3 yrs ago but now about a week ago I noticed that all the leaves have turned brown have I lost the tree or is there something that I can do to save it
Dorraine,
Sounds like the roots “drowned.” Sorry, but I wouldn’t be especially hopeful that your magnolia tree will pull through. You could try digging some channels to drain the waterlogged soil, but that’s a lot of work; if it were my yard, I’d probably just buy a replacement (after the soil has dried out).
please advise I have a magnolia tree which bloomed this summer and started forming seed pods. recently i noticed that the pods were gone! could it be that squirrels stole them?
I would like to know how to protect the pods once they appear, so whatever happened to them will not happen in the future. the tree is only two years old.
My husband purchased a magnolia for me last year. The nursery said that it is a Southern Magnolia, but the leaves are not the deep rich green with redish undersides that I am used to seeing on a Southern. Is it possible that it isn’t a Southern? Where would I find good pictures of Magnolia’s to compare what I have to all the different species of Magnolia’s?
Jennifer,
I have the same problem. My leaves are a light green instead of the dark green. The veins and structure of the leaves are the same, just not the color. Did you get any info on your question?
Brian,
My response to Jennifer was located immediately below your post.
Jennifer,
A Web search I just tried didn’t yield great results for “magnolia tree pictures” (I didn’t go past the first page of Google results, though), but this piece on magnolia trees may help.
Betty,
I wouldn’t put anything past squirrels! If you really wanted to be on the safe side (this magnolia tree care solution will be practicable only if your specimen isn’t too big), you could surround your magnolia tree with a loose wooden frame (”loose” to indicate that you still want plenty of sunshine to get in) and staple wire mesh all around that frame. The wire mesh would also have to extend 6″ or so underground, to prevent the squirrels from sneaking under the frame.
If that sounds like way too much work to have to do all at once (it does to me!), you could experiment with spreading “stinky” substances (e.g., blood meal) around the area to try to repel the squirrels. Problem is, you have to keep re-applying these as the rain washes them away.
A Scarecrow Sprinkler might be another option.
hi, my fiance and i i got given a magnolia tree as an engagement gift and have potted it in a large pot, until we build our house what basic tips do i need to keep it alive, re; sunlight and amount of H20 it needs
Sun is fine, but the problem container-grown magnolia tree care is trying to figure out how to water them correctly.
You can give too much or too little water to a magnolia (or anything plant, for that matter). One source of overwatering is insufficient container drainage (for example, no drainage holes at the base of the pot, or blockage in the holes). Excessive water can lead to root rot. A young magnolia tree planted in too large a pot can also be subjected to excessive water. The soil mass is too great for the young roots to absorb. While water retention is usually seen as a good thing (it’s one reason why we mix peat moss into soil), excessive water retention can result in magnolia trees having “wet feet” all the time — something they do not want.
Make your judgment as to watering needs based on weight. If the pot feels relatively light, water your magnolia tree till the water gushes out through the container’s drainage holes.
I have dead limbs on my Magnolia Tree, is it safe to cut the dead limbs off? Part of the dead limb is the top of the main tunk, should I top it or leave the tunk alone? The tree is about four years old and it really looks good other than the dead limbs. Seeking advise, don’t want to damage the life of my magnolia!
I have a lovely magnolia tree that i planted about 8 years ago.. sometimes it blooms twice a year…It’s getting very wide and tall now and I’d like to know if and how I can trim it back into a more compact size…people have said that magnolia trees shouldn’t be pruned back is this true? Jan G.
I live in Charleston, SC and I have a magnolia that I planted a couple of years ago when it was about 5 feet tall (B&B). It finally flowered this past spring some, but not much. Now suddenly I am having a lot of yellowing leaves. Any ideas?
I live in South FL. My magnolia tree is on the south side of our property (most sun). The bark has a lightish green circular shaped rubbery type of growth on the main trunk which comes off if you rub it off. I think this may be killing my tree since the leaves are drying up and the tree is mostly bare. I do not see any insects on it. Yet, the tree is still flowering in places. It is about 8 feet high. Any idea if that growth is harmful to tree- unsure if it is a fungus or somthing else. DO YOU THINK THERE IS A CORRELATION BETWEEN THIS “FUNGIS” AND CONDITION OF TREE? WHAT CAN BE SPRAYED ON TREE TO REMOVE THIS FUNGIS? THANKS.
Ann,
As I wrote above, in response to a similar question on magnolia tree care:
“A rule of thumb for tree care in such cases is to ascertain where there is green underneath the bark (signaling life) and to prune off only where there’s brown (signaling death). To make this determination, take a sharp knife and make a small cut through the bark of your magnolia tree. Such pruning certainly can’t hurt.”
As for topping your magnolia tree, it would be unfortunate if you had to do so. However, if the top is dead, then it’s dead — not much you can do about it. Sorry.
We moved into our new home last winter. We have a huge magnolia tree in our yard (20 or more feet high) with many blooms. Can you use the pods with the red berries to grow other trees? Excuse my ignorance.
Jan,
Pruning really is not widely considered part of magnolia tree care. For one thing, magnolia trees don’t heal as well as most from pruning cuts and, for another, you generally spoil a magnolia’s looks by pruning it. But if you still decide to prune, do so after flowering, so you can at least enjoy that year’s blooms.
Chris,
From what I read, southern magnolia tree leaves sometimes turn yellow as a prelude to shedding (which happens periodically). However, this seems to occur more often in the spring. With you reporting seeing the yellow leaves in fall, it makes me think there could perhaps be a problem — perhaps with irrigation, be it natural or artificial (too much or too little).
Michael,
From the Clemson Extension:
“Most magnolias are generally pest-free. They may be troubled by various types of scales, which can infest twigs and leaves. They are also subject to leaf spots, black mildew, blights, scab and canker, caused by various fungi or bacteria. Control is not generally warranted.”
Rather than fungi, it could be lichens, which are relatively harmless. My guess (and that’s all it can be, a guess, given my ignorance of your magnolia tree’s life history) is that there’s no cause-effect relationship between this “rubbery type of growth” and the state of your magnolia tree’s foliage.
Linda,
Yes, you can use the pods with the red berries to grow other magnolia trees. For those who live in the North, here is one way to approach seed starting for a magnolia tree.
Fill a Ziploc bag with sphagnum peat moss and place your seeds in this bag. After moistening the peat moss, seal the Ziploc tightly and store it in a refrigerator. The temperature should be approximately 40 degrees. In March sow the seeds in a seed tray using a seed-starting medium (available at some garden centers). Locate in a sunny window and await sprouting with all the anticipation that a herald of spring merits! But wait until danger of frost is over before planting the magnolia tree sprouts in the landscape. When you do plant, select an area in full sunshine and that has well-drained, loamy ground.
After-planting care: water to achieve even moisture, but do not flood the area.
thirteen years ago i planted a magnolia tree in honer of a loved one. the tree grew like you wouldent believe,it flowered every year and was so thick with leaves that you could not see light through it well we just got an early snow 9 inches in 5 hrs, and all those thick leaves held on to it and it pealed it like a banana is their any way i can save it or should i cut it down?
Denise,
Without being there, it’s tough to tell how badly damaged your magnolia tree is. If it’s in really bad shape, it might not recover (although there’s no sense in being hasty about cutting it down). Short of calling in an arborist, the best you can do is hope that it heals; the use of tree “paints” for wounds is generally discouraged now. Keep an eye out for wood borers (whose presence is signaled by fine saw dust at the base of the tree) in the meantime; and if you detect their presence, spray with an insecticide.
Hi all,
So that it’s easier for everyone to see, I just wanted to repeat down here what I said above:
Note on the Comments section for magnolia tree care: As of 11/01/2008, 50 comments have been posted, and that’s a good cut-off figure (it’s getting too unwieldy). Please post any further questions on magnolia tree care in the Landscaping forum, rather than posting them here.
I realize this means a bit more work for you, but I’d like to reserve the Comments section for the function that it’s best suited to serve: posting comments. The forum, by contrast, is set up in such a way that it’s better suited for questions than is the Comments section. I look forward to answering your questions on magnolia tree care in the forum. And once you’re a forum member, you’re part of our community. See you there!
our 3 year old magnolia has 2/3 of its leaves that are now brown. it has done well for its first two years but now we are concerned. we are in northern virgina which has been relatively dry for the past three months.
rpwenz,
The brown leaves could be the result of any one of a number of factors. Too little water is certainly a possibility, but so could high winds or frost. A soil test never hurts, in case your soil is nutrient-deficient. When magnolias develop brown leaves that then drop off, it can be a sign of iron deficiency.
I had a magnolia tree planted in my front yard over 5 years ago. It blooms, it looks great but it won’t grow in height. It’s approximately 10-12 feet tall and it just stays the same size. Why won’t it grow taller?
Thanks,
Debbie
Debbie,
What type of magnolia tree is it? Do you still have the tag? We would really need to know the full, exact scientific plant name to be able to answer your question properly, as mature heights for magnolia trees vary considerably.
We planted a magnolia tree about 3 – 4 years ago (not sure what kind) in our back yard in NC. All of the leaves turned brown over this winter and I don’t remember it doing that before. We did get a little more snow this year than we have had in a while but we didn’t really have any ice this year like we normally do so I am not sure if the leaves turning brown has anything to do with the weather or not. Is my tree dead or is this normal for some types of magnolias and it should recover and turn green again?
Stephanie,
If you don’t remember the leaves on your magnolia tree turning brown in past winters, then let’s assume you have an evergreen magnolia tree. Unfortunately, the foliage of broadleaf evergreens sometimes suffers winter damage — which may or may not be serious, depending on the severity of the winter weather you experienced. Other than simply waiting to see how the magnolia tree responds this spring, you can perform the test that I described above in this comment #18.
Can you cut a magnolia tree back to keep it small
Stara,
You can cut magnolia trees back in this way, but you might not wish to: drastic cutting tends to ruin their naturally-beautiful shape.
I have a magnolia tree that is looking brown and moldy. After closer look I noticed scales on the braches that looked like ladybugs attached to the bark. I removed all the bugs off the braches and prunned the close the dead ones. Is there anything I can pray the treem the give it a chance to survive?
Pat,
TreeHelp.com has some good magnolia tree care info on this issue:
“Magnolia scale can be satisfactorily controlled with a variety of insecticides if applied when the insects are in the freshly settled crawler stage. This is usually in late August to early September. Sprays applied before the crawlers are present, or after they have become dormant in the overwintering stage will have little effect.”
I live in Central Texas and have a Southern Magnolia. I purchased this tree about three years ago. It was about two foot in height when I bought it. It grew about three feet at the beginning of spring and one of my friends children broke it in half. The following spring it grew two feet and was snapped in half during a hail storm. This spring it has not grown. Beautiful leaves and it blooms a couple of blooms per year. Any hope that it will grow taller?
We just planted a magnolia tree. Once in the ground I removed most of the burlap and then found a wire mesh under it. Is this okay?
I’m considering purchasing a magnolia tree and not certain which type would be best for my environment. I live in North Carolina and have clay dirt.
Eyvonne,
I don’t know of a specific type of magnolia tree that performs best in clay soil. Mix compost into the hole when planting to amend your clay soil, making it airier. You’ll hear stories of magnolia trees growing just fine in clay soil, but they may be exceptions to the rule.
I have an 10yo southern mag. (approx 15′ tall). Never a problem; beautiful blooms, nicely shaped. This Spring 90%+ of all the leaves have turned brown & brittle. The soil is moist. No damage to bark/trunk. What possibly could cause this sudden change? No signs of pest damage on leaves. Could underground insects cause such rapid change?
We have a mature Southern Magnolia that may be about 20 years old, the age of the house that we moved into five years ago. The tree is about 20 feet tall. About a month ago, I noticed that all the leaves on the top section of the tree turned brown and dried out. This brown dry leave condition has moved down the tree so that the top half or more of the tree looks dead, brown dry leaves. The bottom third has green leaves. The soil is moist as it has had good spring rains. The winter was colder than it has been in about 10 years. Gets down in the teens and a few signal digit nights. Anything we can do to save the tree? It looks like its on its way out. It was a beautiful tree.
We live in East Texas and have a huge Magnolia tree in our front yard. It gets full sunlight but the leaves are starting to turn yellow and are falling out. Also the green leaves are starting to look like they are shriveling. What can I do?
Jamie,
I suspect that, due to its injuries, your magnolia tree has not been able to gain height via an established leader. Instead, its misfortunes have perhaps had the same impact as intentional topping. If this is so and you are fortunate, hopefully your magnolia tree will adapt to become a multi-stemmed plant (more shrub-like).
Hi,
I recently used a ground clear and round up in our landscaping areas with white rock. I believe that our magnolia may have been exposed to this. We live in Upstate South Carolina. The leaves have turned yellow and are starting to fall. There are some blooms. The tree is at least 15 years old. Will it survive?
Just moved into my house in January and we have a young magnolia out front. We noticed this spring it began to lose leaves and they were turning brown pretty quick. We also noticed it had Flowers that lasted for about 2 days before they turned brown. Just wondering if anyone has a possible diagnosis for my suspected sick tree.
I have a 80+ year old Magnolia at my home and recently it has started to have several yellowing leaves. I havent lived here too long and would like to know if this is normal for them. I would appreciate any help.
Thanks,
Jack
I noticed in one of your answers you addresses the brown flowers saying the tree could be under watered or over watered or the soil was nutrient deficient. I really think my problem may be the soil. Is there a nutrient or fertilizer you would recommend?
Catherine,
No, definitely remove the wire mesh from the root ball of your magnolia tree.
We have a magnolia tree that was on the property when we bought the house. We have no idea what kind of magnolia it is. It did bloom last year, but we had a hard winter here in Louisville, Kentucky. All the leaves on the top of the tree have turned brown and it has not bloomed. Is there anything we can do to help it? Should be just leave it and see what happens next year. I really don’t want to cut it down.
My sister-in-law in Sardis, MS has the most beautiful magnolia trees that has to be over 150 yrs old with soceer size blooms. My son is getting married in Springdale,AR. Is there a way to preserve the buds or blooms from MS to AR without them browning? They would be picked on Fri morning & used on Sat evening. We would like to put them on the tables for the reception. I know this isn’t about the tree itself. If you can’t help me maybe you can direct me to someone who might can. But I’m sure others would like to know how to treat the blooms if picked. Thank you for your time.
Linda,
Florists use something called a “water tube” to preserve flowers, but I don’t know if the stems of these particular magnolia tree blossoms would fit in or not. The only other thing that comes to mind is refrigeration of some sort (even an ice chest would be better than nothing).
I have a magnolia tree that my grandparents planted years ago. We have not had a lot of rain the past couple of years and it looks sick. We trimmed all the dead branches off of it but it is not growing. Is there any type of fertilizer that I can give it? I would like to do whatever I can to save it.
Hi -
I planted a Magnolia 2 years ago in an area that turned out to be very wet. I noticed that since I planted it the tree got sicker and sicker looking. I think the roots are rotting.
There are still green leaves and buds on the tree, but it is definitely thinning. I just moved the tree (the hole was muck) to a dry area with much better drainage.
My question is, based on the description I’ve given you, and guess on the chances for survival? Anything I can do to amend the new soil around the transplant or anything else to improve the odds of success?
Thanks
Lance
We purchased an old house, build in 1900. We have restored it as much as we could.I love magnolia trees,when is the best time to plant one.We are ready to start our,landscaping.
Thank you,
Portia
Portia,
All else being equal, I’d suggest early spring as the best time to plant magnolia trees.
in our nursery we have alot of trouble with these type of magnolias.They are really bad to get a blight in our late summer drought conditions.We’ve tried growing tose for our wholesale nursery customers but they are never a success.We do have alot of native trees,perennials and plants if anyone form your forum is intrested.
We have a magnolia tree that was planted 4 years ago it has really never looked great but always has white flowers around spring. The leaves never got that real dark green look. Now this summer the leaves started looking a lighter green and bark has mold on it! I Have washed the mold off the bark and noticed at the base of the tree the bark is coming off about 4 inches up! Tree is about 4 inches diameter maybe 13 feet tall. I pulled the loose bark off and under it was a ton of ants. Under bark is still solid but a few bore holes that go in only a little bit I think! I put ant killer around the tree but I dont know if this is a problem with magnolias by the way we are in Florida! Any help would be appreciated! Hate to loose a tree that big !
Thanks! Bill
I live in far northeast Texas, we have had above normal rainfall in the last two years, especially the last couple of months. The ground is so wet it is squishy, and water is standing, more to come tonight and for the next 3 days. I have two Southern Magnolias that were planted shortly before my grandparents bought this property, in 1915. Do I have any reason to be concerned with the ground being so wet? As for now, the trees seem fine, but I am concerned with the ground being as wet as it is and knowing that magnolias do not like overly wet soil.
Thank you.
I planted some magnolia seeds in a jar with sand, dirt from pile of rotting grass, and some soil we got from the store and put under the original tree. Now that they’ve sprouted, what do I do? I have five sprouts.
Bill,
The Autumn Tree Care Experts say:
“Few trees can match the refined elegance of a magnolia in spring. The tree’s charm can be dampened by the onset of magnolia scales, though. The less-than-attractive effects of the pest include the presence of a sticky clear liquid (called “honeydew”) oozing along the branches, black sooty mold growing on the tree’s leaves, and wasps and ants congregating around the tree.”
In other words, the ants may be the effect, not the cause. I’d look into the possibility that you have a problem with scale.
Emily,
Personally, living as I do in zone 5, I would not plant magnolia tree seed sprouts at this time. I’d bring them in for the winter. However, you don’t state where you live (if you live somewhere very warm, that would be a different story).
Jenni,
I think you’re right to feel some concern for your magnolia trees. Having their roots sit in water is hardly ideal. I would consider trying to drain / divert some of the water away from the soil there. One possible way to do this is via a French drain — although it’s difficult if you’re on totally flat ground (to say nothing of trying to dig while there’s standing water).
I have a bueautiful ann magnolia that I need to move and was wondering in Texas when would the best time of year be to move this magnolia. Thanks, Tina
Tina,
The best time to transplant magnolia trees in warm climates is late fall.
I just purchased a house in Northeast Ohio with a beautiful magnolia in the front yard. It’s been an unseasonably warm late fall, and as I was putting my Christmas decorations up today, I noticed that my magnolia is budding! Is this normal? The weather is expected to get colder over the next couple days, and I assume the buds will simply die off. Will it harm the buds in the spring? Thanks!
Becky,
If by your magnolia “budding” you mean that you’re seeing objects on the tree that resemble pussy willow catkins, there’s no harm done — those are supposed to be there this time of year. But if you mean that flower petals are actually unfurling from the buds, then yes, those buds are lost for your spring display.
This last winter storm broke off the top half of my magnolia tree. If I give the top half a clean cut can it be made to root and saved. What about the bottom half; will that need any special care to survive? It was about a 25 to 30 tree so the top half is quite large. Please help!
David,
I don’t know about trying to get the top half of the magnolia (the part snapped off) to root, but you should be able to save the bottom half. Make your cut at a 45-degree angle, so it will shed water.
Hello!
I just bought a house in Salem Oregon last summer and have a mystery tree in the back yard. We moved in in summer and all the leaves were gone. It is covered in green moss and has large white patches on the gray bark. Over the last couple of weeks buds have come out that are looking like it is a magnolia. I am afraid it is sick but I have no idea what to do for it.
The buds are over much of the tree and a couple have started to bloom leaves. Do you know if the moss could be hurting the tree? Or if the white patches are harmful? Is it too late to prune it?
Thank you so much!
I live in Irving Tx, 2004 I planted a Southern Magnolia & Dynamite Crape Myrtle Tree in our front yard, which faced east. Well both have not grown more than 3 feet in the 6 years they have been planted. The magnolia has never bloomed, but the crape myrtle has. Please, what do I need to do to get these trees growing and blooming?
I live in south NM and I have a D D Blanchard Southern Magnolia, has been in the grown for 3 yrs. It flowered the 1st yr and not since. I was told they are very fast growing, the tree was about 7 ft when it was planted and has not grown an inch since. Any idea’s why it hasn’t?
Gary
I planted a Southern Magnolia 3 weeks ago. It is about 5 feet tall. I have cared for it and it seemed to be just fine except it is snowing and sleeting outside right now and I am afraid the freeze will kill the tree. I live in East TX and planted it in red clay, used root stimulator, miracle grow plant food and miracle grow planting soil. Will this freeze and sleet/snow kill this new tree?
I have a 2 year old Southern Magnolia planted in full sun, clay soil. Summers are very dry and hot (sonoma CA) and winters are very wet. I noticed last week that the leaves are turning from green to brown, appear to have a very light powdery look underneath and are curling a bit. The tree is in relatively soggy clay soil in the winter/spring months and very dry clay soil in the summer/fall.
Any chance I’ve drowned the poor thing? Can it be saved?
I have a new southern Magnolia that we planted in early March. It is fairly young, only about four feet tall,. the leafs are a light green color but I have started to see black spots showing up on some of the leafs. I have been trying to keep the soil some what moist to to the fact that it was just planted. Also the leafs look a little curled what could the black spots be, and what should I do.
I have a new home with great looking Magnolia Trees in the backyard along the driveway. This seems to be a healthy set of magnolias, but they need to be trimmed to clear the driveway. Any trimming advice would be much appreciated.
We have a Magnolia tree that is at least 25″ tall & came with the house we bought 25 yrs ago. We don’t know what type of Magnolia it is. It has always been beautiful blooming each spring. We live in upstate NY & this year hit with a horrible snowstorm that severely damaged this tree. We had to prune off the large branches that broke. Now, many, many of the buds are coming out brown and many flowers that are opening are turning brown although not all. Question-would it help to feed this tree now or would that hurt it? If we should feed it, with what? Thank you so much for any advice you can give us to help this beautiful tree.
I would trim the magnolias a bit like you would trim grass, really straight – you don’t wanna scratches on your car – I had a magnolia in the middle of my driveway when I built my house. I didn’t have the heart to cut it. It is too magnificent! So I left it. It takes a bit of maneuvering to get into my garage but it’s possible to get in. Got to let nature follow its course!
We have one magnolia in the backyard of our new home. We dug up the weeds, put potting soil with a three month release of fertilizer around it and planted flowers under it.
Yesterday I noticed a large number of yellow leaves where once there was healthly dark green ones.
Has the addition of this potting soil/fertilizer caused this or are these old leaves that would normally drop off?
What should I do?
Thanks for your comments.
Kristina,
You didn’t mention the type of magnolia tree you have. From what I read, southern magnolia tree leaves sometimes turn yellow as a prelude to shedding (which happens periodically, and most often in spring). I doubt that the application of the slow-release fertilizer was the problem. Yellow leaves on magnolia trees can also signal any of a number of problems:
Water issues (too little or too much)
Winter injury
Sunburn
Lack of essential nutrients
Winter injury in the form of leaves drying out can be avoided by adequate watering in fall.
We had a little gem magnolia planted about a yr. and a half ago and it has never looked very good. It seems to be getting worse. The leaves are very sparse, especially the lower half. Alot of branches don’t even have any leaves. Alot of the leaves now have black spots and the tree doesn’t seem to flower. When it was planted I noticed the trunk had a large scrap/gash out of it, could that cause the problems? It also looks like the trunk (halfway up the tree) has light colored, large polka dots on it. We don’t know what to do.
I have a 20 year old magnolia, always blooms. It went through Hurricaine Ike 2 years ago and has been losing leaves since. I feel like it needs something in the fertilizer for nutrients. Can you suggest something that will bring it back to the tree it was before the hurricaine. I didn’t lose any limbs, just sat in salt water for about 4 hours.
Lynn,
Please see my article on soil salinization, which is what you have perhaps suffered from in the wake of Hurricane Ike.
Josh and Kristen,
See post #26 above, regarding the black spots; what you might have is “leaf spot.”
But Kristen, your problem may go beyond leaf spot. It sounds like when you bought your magnolia tree, you got a lemon (of course, not being there, I can’t say for sure). Assuming that you did not simply buy a lemon, you could try to battle the leaf spot (which is a fungus), etc. with a fungicide; inquire about the latter at your local garden center / home improvement store.
Carole,
Fertilizing is generally not the way to go with an injured magnolia tree (or most any plant that has just been injured, for that matter), although there are, in fact, exceptions, an example of which I point to in my FAQ on brown leaves on magnolia trees. Fertilizer is most productive when a plant is healthy enough to absorb it properly; i.e., fertilization is more about “feeding” than “healing.”
You need to allow this magnolia tree some time to heal. In the meantime, check the wounds to make sure no fungi, etc. are exploiting it in its weakened condition.
Brian,
As I wrote in a post above:
“Pruning really is not widely considered part of magnolia tree care. For one thing, magnolia trees don’t heal as well as most from pruning cuts and, for another, you generally spoil a magnolia’s looks by pruning it.”
Of course, you have to do what you have to do. But just try to minimize the pruning, and keep an eye out afterward for any signs of fungal invasion.
We have three smaller type Magnolia’s and one large dd blanchard magnolia. They are all looking poorly recently with leaves falling off, bear limbs in places and the leaves are turning lighter in color- no more dark green healthy leaves. What should we do?
Eddie and Lana,
From what I read, southern magnolia tree leaves sometimes turn yellow as a prelude to shedding (which happens periodically). This seems to occur especially in the spring. Consequently, I don’t think there’s sufficient reason yet for you to be terribly worried, but I’d keep an eye on it.
i live in atlanta, ga and i have a magnolia i planted about 5 years ago. i think it is a dwarf magnolia, but i can’t remember exactly. while it has grown taller quite a bit, it hasn’t really “filled out” much yet. the branches and leaves all still seem rather spindly. but maybe this tree is still young as far as magnolias go? also, it has put out a few blooms each year for about 2 years now, but the flowers fade and die very quickly — sometimes in a day or so. can i do anything to help my tree keep the flowers longer?
Rachel,
About your only chance of having your magnolia tree flowers persist longer is if you can locate your specimen in a somewhat sheltered area. This option, unfortunately, is often unavailable to homeowners.
We have a Magnolia tree in front of my home (don’t know the age of the tree as we moved in about a year ago). I know this tree was doing great about 3 years ago. Ever since we moved in, we see lot of dry branches, leafs fallen off. When I approached a tree specialist, I was suggested that it needs a trim, so that it would root well and branch well. I did that, but there is not much use. I notice lot of scalp, dry branches, sometimes leafs fall off even now and not much blossom this year. Please suggest any treatment to make it better or I have to cut it down. Thanks.
Kotesh,
Sorry, not enough to go on here. Since you do not know how old the tree is, it’s possible that your magnolia tree has simply come to the end of its lifespan. I’ve read that the average lifespan of southern magnolias, for example, is 80 years, while the lifespan of saucer magnolias is 50 years (of course, there are other types of magnolias, too).
We planted magnolia 6 years ago.
It was healthy tree and bloomed every april with light purple-white flowers. Last year we had only a few flowers and not a good leafs. This year is worse. A lot dry branches.
I do not know what happened and what to do.
We have a 12ft Southern Magnolia that we had planted a year ago. We live in the Houston area and experienced a long cold winter for the first time in many years. Several days of below freezing temps and a late spring light freeze. Our Magnolia is looking really stressed. It appears to have new leaf blooms coming out all around but it is also dropping just as many yellow leaves. Is something wrong? Do we need to fertilize? I don’t notice any sap, bugs or brown spots. It just doesn’t look good.
Kim
Hello- we planted a southern Magnolia a few years ago in northern Virginia and the first 2 years it only had leaves, no blooms and this past winter was bad with lots of snow and now we have no leaves, many branches seem dead, we can wiggle the trunk and see the root ball move in the ground but we do have some signs of life with little sucker plants growing from the trunk. What should I do or is it dead? Thank you.
I am in the exactly same boat as Kim (above). Yellow leaves everywhere. I live in Houston.
polina,
If by “dry branches” you mean “dead branches,” two possibilities are fungal diseases known as nectria canker and veriticillium wilt. Remove affected branches to prevent the spread of fungus. Fertilize, provide adequate water (but avoid excessive watering), and see if your specimen recovers. If your magnolia tree fails to recover by next year, the problem may have been too great for it to overcome; at which point I would plant a more disease-resistant type of tree.
Craig, Heather and Kim,
Yes, some parts of the southern U.S. had the type of winter in 2009-2010 to which southern magnolia trees are not accustomed, so it’s possible that the winter weather was the source of your problem.
The question then becomes whether there’s any green left in the main part of your specimen (as opposed to the root system, where Heather cites suckering as evidence of life). To ascertain where there might be green underneath the bark (signaling life), take a sharp knife and make a small cut through the bark of your southern magnolia tree branches. Start as high up as you can reach and work your way down (in your search for green).
If all you find is brown (even when you’ve worked all the way down to the trunk), then the main part of the southern magnolia tree is probably dead. If, in your quest for green, you initially find just brown, but then finally discover some green (as you work your way down towards the ground), prune off the branches where you found only brown. Such pruning certainly can’t hurt, since those branches are dead.
In Heather’s case, assuming this southern magnolia tree is not dead, you may wish to stake it, as you say you can wiggle the root ball. Consult the following video for staking tips:
How to Stake a Tree
Hello,
I have a 60 year old Magnolia tree. I live in NH.
It is just beautiful and huge! but it is in our front yard and now growing into electrical wires. We wanted to prune some branches off but they are very large. How would I do such a job or should I hire a professional?
Thank you!
Eileen,
Definitely hire a professional to prune your magnolia tree. Magnolias don’t “prune well.”
We planted a Mag. (around a 9 ft.)and now it appeares to be withering away. We water often. What is going on? New leaves have appeared but now they are going.
Please help.
I live in Portland OR and my mother gave me a small Magnolia in a Pot last year. At that time it had leaves, but after this last winter it did not produce leaves or flowers. The branches seem to still be alive but they do not produce leaves. Do you think that it is in shock or dead? Is there still hope? Please help!
Thanks!
Josh,
See comment #18 above to determine if the branches truly do still have life in them. If they do, you may simply have a long wait on your hands before this magnolia tree (being a small one, I assume) does much of anything.
Pamy,
Both crape myrtle and southern magnolia trees are listed as full-sun trees. You indicate that you have an eastern exposure; such an exposure typically receives less than full sun. This could be the source of your problem.
Janine,
Neither the moss nor the white patches sound as if they should be a source of great worry. Magnolia trees (if you have to prune them at all — which you often do not) are generally pruned after blooming, so you don’t miss this year’s flowers.
Jeff,
Poor drainage is a huge issue for southern magnolia trees. So yes, there’s a good chance that you have drowned it. Sorry!
I have purchased a teddy bear magnolia tree but just realized that our soil has a lot of clay. Will this present a problem
Chris,
Yes. Magnolia trees (like the majority of plants) prefer a well-drained soil, and part of magnolia tree care, if you have a clay soil, is finding ways to improve soil drainage. For ideas, browse the comments already posted above.
I had a magnolia (3 feet) at the back of my house. I want to move to front of my garden. Is this be best of this time in May to move? Can you give advise please. Someone said wait till October or November not this time to move magnolia. Thanks so much.
Anna,
Yes, I’d wait till the fall. No sense in subjecting your transplanted magnolia tree to the heat of the summer.
I have a yellow magnolia tree and it only bloomed one yellow flower last year. This year we had a frost late in May now my tree leaves are turning brown and dropping off. What can I do.
Thanks
Jan
Jan,
Please see brown leaves on magnolias.
we are currently taking care of our magnolia tree in our backyard and want to know if cutting off the bottom branches will help it to grow or only make it worse. yes or no?
Bob,
Personally, pruning doesn’t have much place in my magnolia tree care regimen. Pruning generally won’t generate as much growth as it will in plants particularly amenable to pruning; worse, it’s easy to spoil the beauty of their natural shape.
We just bought a house in Massachusetts with a very large magnolia tree (it looks like a saucer magnolia) in the front yard. People in this area tell us the tree is at least 40 years old. It has to be at least 20 feet high. We love it! However, the tree at some points is now touching our house and certainly needs to be pruned. I have read NEVER to prune a magnolia tree but we must do it before the branches enter our windows!
How can I prune back the branches without hurting our beautiful magnolia tree?
Lissa,
As you probably suspect, there is no good answer here. Obviously, your house comes first. All I can say is trim your magnolia as little as you have to (just after blooming, ideally), even if it means having to re-trim later.
We just bought a house and from one of the local nursery’s purchased a 5 foot magnolia tree. We planted in our backyard which gets a lot of sun, in soil that is rich in clay. We also added some root solution the nursery suggested and some fertilized soil. We are in Wisconsin and planted at the end of April after a run of some early warm weather, but then got some hard frosts in early May. When we bought the tree it had a good amount of blooms and lots of buds….but now I see no buds, and no leaves. Just a couple dried up ones….will it take awhile for the tree to come back or is it dying???
planted a magnolia tree last spring, it has been great. after this winter i have noticed a black mold on the bark and leaves. i have washed the leaves off about 2 months ago but they are starting to turn black again. any help
I live in NH and purchased my 1st magnolia tree 2 yrs ago. It was about 3ft when I bought it and it did bloom. Last fall, we moved it as it was too close to our pool. It “had” buds on it a few weeks ago but has done nothing since. I have checked the branches and they are pliable and don’t appear to be dead. What’s wrong with my tree????
Our magnolia is about four years old. It has never had blossoms. The leaves are pale green. I notice other magnolias have the nice dark grren leaves with large blooms, so I don’t think it’s a regional thing. Help!
I have a Magnolia tree that was in the yard when I moved here about 5 years ago. It is an “old” tree and it looked really sad. It had a grayish green bushy fungus on many of its branches. I had no idea what type it is or how to bring it back so I pulled off a much as I could then sprayed the entire tree until it looked better. It has bloomed every year since. But…. this year I have noticed the bushy little gray, dull green puffs (some the size of cotton balls others tennis balls) are back! I live in Southern Rhode Island and do nothing to this tree ie watering, pruning etc. It stands in my front yard and is surrounded by a flowering garden. Entire front yard is a flower gardes with a couple of small trees. Any ideas???
Jane,
What you’re describing sounds more like a reindeer lichen than a problematic fungus. Lichens are not really an issue in magnolia tree care, as far as I know, so I wouldn’t worry as long as your plants aren’t showing any signs of performing poorly.
My tree leaves were impacted by the cold spell in GA this year. All the leaves turned brown. I was told to let the tree stay. My landscaper stated the trunk was still green. Over the past week or so, I noticed that new leaves are growing. I was told that you are not supposed to prune a magnolia tree. However, since the tree is now producing new leaves, should I remove ALL dead limbs to ensure this does not deter new growth? This is not really pruning since the leaves and branches are dead. Some of the branches are no longer green and easily snap off. What would you recommend?
(Updated) My magnolia tree was planted 4 years ago and it stands about 10’ tall and 3’ wide. I am unsure about the type of magnolia but it’s is supposed to be a dwarf magnolia. The leaves were impacted by the cold spell in GA this year. All the leaves turned brown. I was told to let the tree stay. My landscaper stated the trunk was still green. Over the past week or so, I noticed that new leaves are growing. I was told that you are not supposed to prune a magnolia tree. However, since the tree is now producing new leaves, should I remove ALL dead limbs to ensure this does not deter new growth? This is not really pruning since the leaves and branches are dead. Some of the branches are no longer green and easily snap off. What would you recommend?
I have heard that Murphys Oil soap works wonders on Aphid and Fungal infestations on a Magnolia Tree as long as it is properly diluted. What does properly diluted mean…according to the instructions on the bottle? It says 98% Natural, so I assume only the fragrance is artificial – but I was told it is a combination of the smell and oil/soap qualities that kills off and detracts Aphids from the tree. Any information would be helpful because the tree is in the courtyard patio of the restaurant I manage and this year it has been dripping sap on 2 tables below. We don’t want to use any pesticides because we are a restaurant and need to be seating the surrounding area every day. I think if we spray/hose it down with a mix of Murphy’s Oil Soap at night when we close that it will be dry the next morning and the sap underneath on the iron furniture will be consequently cleaned of the sticky sap as well. Should I just get a carwash siphon or fertilizer attachment for my hose and feel the Murphy’s in that way, and if so – do I dilute it first before adding it to the container?
Hi David!
We live in Niagara, Ontario, Canada. We planted a Southern Magnolia last spring in a secluded area of our yard where it is protected from winter winds, etc. It came with a notice stating “not guaranteed for Niagara region”, but the seller has several in his yard and they are ‘thriving’. It made it through the winter, has glossy, green leaves….we were extremely excited to see five huge blooms. Yesterday the first of the blooms finally opened on a hot, humid sunny day.. and much to our dismay, the petals of the flower were covered with large brown blotches and the stamens crumbled to the touch! There doesn’t seem to be any information on this…can you shed any light on this? Thank you….
Steven,
I wouldn’t be surprised at all if the source of the problem for your southern magnolia tree were frost. Flower buds are very delicate, and sometimes frost damage on a plant isn’t apparent at all — until the flower buds open. Then the ravages of winter rear their ugly heads! Frost is also erratic, which could explain why the other guy’s southern magnolias are fine.
Ivy,
Please see brown leaves on magnolias.
TJ,
You might possibly have something known in the magnolia tree care literature as “leaf spot.” Leaf spot is a fungus and thus exacerbated by wet conditions. Leaf spot isn’t supposed to be a major problem, from what I’ve read. The typical advice is to rake up and properly dispose of the leaves containing the leaf spot, so the fungus doesn’t spread. If you want to take your magnolia tree care beyond that, you could inquire about a spray for this type of fungus at your garden center.
I have a Magnolia tree and the leaves are moist yet shriveled and these long seed like pods are growing. The flowers died off early and then the leavse shriveleed and these pods formed. Is this normal?
Can other trees get the Magnolia Scale bug?
Kimberly,
Many plants are infested by scale; it is not a magnolia-specific pest.
Hi
is it ok to remove the pods once my magnolia is finished blooming
Lynn,
I’m not aware of pod removal being an issue in magnolia tree care — you should be OK doing that.
Can you prune the bottom limbs on a DD BLANCHARD MAGNOLIA? I have one that is about 15 feet tall and the bottom limbs are only a foot off of the ground.
We have a Magnolia tree that is completely infested with scale. This tree is so big it overlooks several bushes and perennials as well as our brick paver walkway. It is such a mess with the sap, bees, ants and mold growing on the other plants. We were told that we should have it treated and it would take at least 3 treatments and it might not even help. I’m wondering what are the odds of the tree surviving this scale or should we cut it down and replant. I’m also concerned about the damage that could be happening to the other plants and bushes that have the sap leaking on them and are getting moldy. Any Advice?
A large branch broke from our magnolia. Can we save it so that we can replant it somewhere else?
Thanks,
Alex
>”I’m wondering what are the odds of the tree surviving this scale or should we cut it down and replant.”
Sorry, Nicole, I never play “odds maker” — there are just too many variables in play. But regarding your other question about “the damage that could be happening to the other plants and bushes that have the sap leaking on them and are getting moldy,” I will confirm that your magnolia tree problem is definitely putting your other plants at risk.
If it were my magnolia tree, I would carefully weigh the inconvenience and expense of the recommended “3 treatments” versus the loss you’ll suffer in removing the specimen. But clearly, the potential damage to surrounding plants (in the absence of any action on your part) argues that you will have to choose between the lesser of those 2 evils.
My Magnolia tree has been diagnosed with scale. Despite spraying last year with Ortho Systemic weed killer and Fungi-Oil the tree still has black sooty branches and sporadic leaf development. At this point I am afraid there is not much hope for it. The tree is in the landscape in the front of our home. When we take this tree out will it be safe to plant a different tree in it’s place or will I have to treat the soil and perhaps the other bushes and flowers in the adjoining landscape?
We live in the Springfield, Il area and our Magnolia tree leaves are turning black, then brown, and then falling of the tree. The limbs the leaves are on are also turning black.
We have had problems with the Asian beatles hatching on the tree in the past, but we have never had the leaves turn black. The tree bloomed this year and looked great. What could be the problem? Are we loosing our tree for good? It is over 30 years old
Beth,
I would skip a year before planting, just to be on the safe side. When you do plant, monitor the specimen closely for any problems — and offer treatment promptly if you do find any. Most problems of this sort are very manageable if caught early on.
Lori,
Sounds like your magnolia tree is suffering from sooty mold caused by scale (the beetles probably didn’t help, but I don’t think they’re the root cause behind the blackened leaves and leaf drop you’re experiencing). Click the link offered above in post 87 for more information about sooty mold and magnolia tree care.
just cut all the branches of my 25 foot tree, for 3 years now fighting scales,they were winning, the black stuff all over the place, bees, fly, ants couldn’t take it anymore.. what are the chances of it growing back new growth , or should I just take it out.. I left about 6 feet of leafless trunks.. and should I be worried about the bugs going els were or do they just stick to magnolia trees.. thanks much for any advice you can give..
Zoi,
I never comment on the “chances” of a plant returning to health (too many variables to predict), but I *will* comment on your concern regarding the scale ending up on other plants. According to the Ohio State University Extension, magnolia scale can also be a problem for daphne and Virginia creeper.
I just planted a four feet tall sweetbay magnolia in my backyard, but am now wondering if I should have choosen another type of magnolia. I live on the top of a hill in Philadelphia, and I’ve been told sweetbays grow in wet/swampy soil. My question is: Will my sweetbay do okay where it is, or should I get a magnolia that does not require so much water?
John,
I agree with your assessment. Because of its water requirements, it does seem that you’re inviting extra work for yourself (in the form of having to water a lot) by trying to grow sweetbay magnolia in a site to which it is ill-suited. Star magnolia tree, for example, would be a better bet.
We have two magnolia trees planted at the corners of our front exterior. They were part of the landscaping when the house was built so I’m not sure how big they are going to get. The house is only a year and 8 months and the trees are already at least 5 ft. My concern is that I’ve heard magnolias can cause a problem if planted close to the home (i.e. foundation cracks and such). Should we move them now while they are still immature or would the contractor plant trees that would not be of concern for the foundation and we can leave them where they are?
Deloris,
As to whether the contractor would have planted something that “would not be of concern for the foundation,” I think that varies too much from contractor to contractor for us to make an assumption one way or another. In general, if you have to plant a tree near a foundation, it’s better to select a small tree (you do not state what type of magnolia tree you have). But any plant can, at the very least, be a source of inconvenience if planted too near to a house. When homeowners have any doubts (such as the doubt you expressed), I usually recommend that they remove the tree in question. The piece of mind is worth it.
I transplanted a Magnolia tree (about 6 ft)and it looked great for about a month. Now all the leaves have turned brown and are falling off. I live in Florida and I have been watering it everyday due to transplanting it. Should I cut it back or just leave it alone. Any suggestions would be helpfull
Kim,
Considering the time of year you transplanted and where you live (Florida), it was probably stressed out. In a case like this, cutting back a plant usually doesn’t help. I’d just chalk it up as a lesson learned: namely, that you’re better off transplanting in late fall. Sorry I couldn’t have been of more help.
I have a tulip magnolia that must be about 25 years old. It was there when we bought our house 20 years ago. It has been spectacular with hundreds of blooms every year and wonderful dark green leaves. This year, the blooms and leaves were sparse. The leaves weren’t as green and many have a yellowish look to them. There are some branches w/ no leaves, but you can see they are not dead when you scrape them. I live in Massachusetts. Winters can vary from okay to miserably cold — summers can vary from cool to miserably hot. So in 25 years the tree has thrived in all kinds of weather. Any thoughts? Can magnolias have off years (kind of like our Red Sox).
Carrie,
Very astute of you to suggest that your tulip magnolia simply may have had an off-year. Weather is obviously not something our gentle-giant friends have any control over, yet it can make or break their displays any given year. The baseball analogy is apt. The Red Sox suffered an inordinate number of injuries in 2010 — something totally beyond a team’s control — and that couldn’t help but negatively impact their performance. My approach toward your specimen would be, “Wait till next year!”
Greetings,
I have a 9 foot magnolia tree in Wisconsin. Last year we think that it had some frost damage. A lower branch was dead and we removed it. Now, that side is bare and has ~3 feet with out branches in comparison to the other side that has 2 bigger branches with lots of leaves. It looks very uneven now. Is there anyway to promote branch growth in Magnolia trees so that the bare side has a couple branches? And, if not, would you recommend trimming the one side so that it looks more even? If I would trim that side, it would take ~30-40% of the leaves.
Also, the lowest branch on the tree is probably 4 ft from the ground. On a normal Magnolia would you recommend trimming that so the lowest branch is higher? Thank you so much for your help!
Melissa,
Magnolias are not among the trees most amenable to pruning, and I would not count on pruning to regenerate limbs on the bare side. And losing 30-40% of your leaves sounds harsh. Personally, I would leave it alone and convince myself that its unevenness “gives it character.”
Hi,
in my garden, Magnolia grandiflora, leaf curls.Any disease or insect, red spider does not.What is the reason.
thanks,
Alpaslan ÜLKÜ
Alpaslan,
Leaf curl can also be caused from insufficient irrigation. Your grandiflora may be drying out, thereby putting stress on it. Check the soil to see if it’s getting adequate water; if not, water more.
Hi, I just planted a ten foot southern magnolia in my front yard , its beautfiul and seems to be doing well. I planted it about 7 weeks ago and now we are heading into slightly cooler weather and less rain, how often should I water it? I planted it according to instructions with root stimulator etc, I dont wnant to over water it, I just want it strong for the winter . Help!
Jillian
Jillian,
Although one can address why and when to water trees in fall, I cannot recommend a precise amount of water, because conditions dictate irrigation requirements, including the type of soil you have. What works for one person won’t necessarily work for another: Everyone’s case is unique. The best one can do is to try to “read” one’s soil. By that, I mean explore the soil where your southern magnolia tree is after watering and try to determine if it’s evenly moist (which is what you want) several inches down into the ground. If it’s not, water some more, because what you want to do when you water is to water deeply, then let the soil dry out again. When it’s dry again, that’s when you know you should give it another watering.
We have a mature magnolia in our yard that appears healthy, but a large chunk of bark is coming off the main part of the trunk. Should I be concerned or is this typical for mature magnolias? (I don’t remember this happening in past years)
Hope,
You might want to check into the possibility that the bark is peeling off due to canker, which is caused by a fungus. The canker can make the bark peel away from the trunk. I would take a picture of the injured section of your mature magnolia tree and bring the picture in to a garden center. Ask them if it could be canker. If they confirm that it’s probably canker, you could try cutting away the diseased wood. However, as Steve Nix notes here, “If a large canker is on the main trunk, the tree may need to be replaced.” So I’m sorry to say that, in your case, if the problem is canker, your specimen may die.
i have a 1 year old magnolia (not sure what type), but it was blossoming well and this past 6 months i’ve noticed a black mold (did some research and found it to be sooty mold)..what is the best way to treat.. we also have wasps, bees and ants crawling all over them..we live in myrtle beach sc, with full sun and well watered..any help is appreciated!!
Jenn,
Please see my FAQ on sooty mold on magnolia trees.
When we bought our property 2 years ago, we had all kinds of ovegrown shrubs. In his zeal to get everything under control, my husband cut down a “shrub” with 3 trunks. It has now grown back up from the trunks and bloomed profusely last spring. It was then that I realized that it is a saucer, or tulip, Magnolia. My husband has rounded it off as a low shrub. My question is, should I trim back the branches to one or two in order to allow it to grow tall, or should I keep it trimmed to a small size? When should I trim it? It is currently covered with buds and will bloom in February.
Mary,
Some people fight a saucer magnolia tree’s tendency to produce multiple stems through pruning so as to favor one, dominant trunk. Such drastic pruning may be done while the tree is still young. You may also shape the crown in later years by pruning lightly after the flowering period.
Hi, we have two young Southern Magnolias that were planted in our yard when we moved into our new construction home. Our lab puppy has broken off the lower branches on each. Is there any hope in these branches growing back?
When people lose the lower branches on southern magnolia trees, they usually don’t grow back, from what I hear.
I have a Teddy Bear southern magnolia purchased about a year ago. I live in Texas with clay soil. The leaves are not deep green. They have turned more of a lime green. Some are yellowing and falling off. Also some have holes. There is no indication of insects on the tree.
Any suggestions?
Vicki,
Southern magnolia tree foliage will turn that yellowish color as a prelude to shedding. Such shedding occurs periodically, mainly in the spring. But it’s also possible the yellowing leaves are a sign of excessive water retention in the soil, which will happen in clay. As for the holes, woodpeckers are a possibility.
I have a magnolia tree and I heard that they like Epson salt is this true?
Yes, I have heard of people using Epsom salts to fertilize their magnolia trees after blooming. The Epsom salts are supposed to help them set flower buds for next year, based on what I’ve heard.
Thank you for answering my question about the Epsom salt that helped me a great deal, but I do have one more question do you know how much I put on it and how often do I do this? thanks again for you help.
Stacy,
According to the Epsom Salts Council, for trees, you would use “2 tablespoons per 9 square feet.” They suggest doing so three times a year.
I have a magnolia tree my husband bought me variety “susan” It has beautiful purple blooms the trouble is although its growing perfectly well its being eaten alive by bugs what I’m not sure but they devour the tree the crux of the matter we only grow organically so bug sprays etc are out of the question any advice ?
Sue,
Without knowing more about the bugs in question, the only thing I could recommend that you look into, given your organic preference, is neem oil.
I have a magnolia tree that is loosing all its leaves. It is very sandy here and I was watering it 15 minutes a day. When that didn’t help I increased it to 20 minutes a day, but that doesn’t look like it is helping. Am I overwatering?
Tom,
Without knowing more, yes, I would have to go with overwatering as the reason for its losing its leaves.
We inherited a house with two beautiful old magnolias, probably 40+ years old. They have had no care in the past few years and they now have lots of “volunteer” magnolias growing underneath. We would like to clear these out but don’t want to damage the original trees. Would it be dangerous to the original trees if we went in and cut the smaller trees off at the ground?
Susan,
Cutting the young magnolias off at the ground shouldn’t harm the old magnolias. Just don’t disturb the roots of the old ones.
We have an older northern magnolia tree (we live in NE Indiana). It is healthy and had produced beautiful blooms in the spring. However the past 3 springs the tree will bud with blooms but the blooms do not open. The first year I believe it happened due to a killing frost. Then last year I assumed the same however I noticed other magnolias in our area in full bloom. Again this year – right now – the bloom buds seem to be closed while others in our neighborhood are opening. What could be the reason? And is there anything I can do to help it?
Marna,
First of all, don’t rule out frost simply because your neighbors’ magnolia trees are blooming. Frost damage can be an incredibly localized phenomenon. I’ve had plants survive a frost in one area of my property, only to find that the very same type of plant in another area of my property had succumbed to that frost!
But you could have other problems, such as thrips attacking the buds. Also, I don’t know what kind of spring you’ve had in Indiana, but here in New England it’s been cold. The buds can rot during extended periods of such weather.
We have not had a frost since the blooms started to emerge. And none of the buds are opening, they are deep pink and closed tightly.
When my brother in law was married, my mother in law had a landscaper and plant a few magnolia trees. It turned out beautifully!
We planted a teddy bear magnolia about 7-8 years ago and it grew in height to about 8 feet, but is has never expanded in width. It blooms about once a year but the blooms are short lived. Any suggestions? We live in central Oklahoma.
Susan,
For such a plant, 7-8 years is not a long time. If your Teddy Bear “has it in it” to gain in width, this may not happen for a few more years. As to blooms not lasting long, that’s subject to too many environmental factors to hazard a guess as to the cause.
Hi,
I live in Oklahoma City. We are in the second year of a new house where we have a young magnolia tree in our front yard. It has developed some spotting and lost several leaves. There have been dry season with severe winds in OK this year. Our neighbor said to put some bone meal on the roots. Should we? I am not sure the type of tree but I have attached a picture in the link below. Thanks!
http://yfrog.com/h7tqhhfj
Eric,
You may have “leaf spot.” This disease is a fungus and reputedly isn’t a major concern. Make sure you rake up and properly dispose of the affected leaves, so the fungus doesn’t spread. Since fungus thrives in moist, humid conditions, avoid overhead watering provide good air circulation around your magnolia tree (e.g., if you have another plant growing close to it, consider transplanting).
I have wonderful memories growing up with a Saucer Magnolia in my Grandmother’s yard in Indiana. All my time at her house was spent sitting under that tree and reading etc… We moved into our own house 5 years ago and I have been trying to get a Magnolia to grow ever since. The problem is that when we moved into our house there was a star Magnolia in the back yard that the previous owner had obviously cut down over and over again and there wasn’t much left alive so eventually I dug it up. I planted another magnolia (Jane) and it grew well the first year except for brown patches all over the leaves. The second year was horrible. We had a late frost and it froze half of the buds. That half of tree didn’t have any flowers this Spring so I cut the limbs off…..was that a mistake, would it have come back the next year? The other half is very healthy however. I fertilized with 30-10-10 mixture as I never fertilized before.
My point is that I am worried that I will have the same problem the previous owner had…..cutting year after year until there is nothing left. How can I get this tree to thrive? As I said, I fertilized today; it was the first time I ever did that. Today (Mother’s Day) I bought a Saucer Magnolia for another spot in the yard…hoping it will do well. Is it my soil that is making these trees fail to thrive or what? Please help! Thanks!
One more question…I once overheard my Grandmother say that she threw her old coffee grounds out on the ground around her magnolias every day and that this is why her Magnolia grew so well. Could this be true? How do I do this? If I do this, can I use MiracleGro also or in place of MiracleGro? What are your thoughts?
Karen,
As long as you’re following the guidelines for magnolia tree care supplied in my article on saucer magnolias and you have a reasonably fertile soil, there’s no reason that, with a little patience, you shouldn’t be able to grow saucer and your Jane successfully. Yes, cutting off those limbs was probably a mistake but will only disfigure the plant, not kill it.
Regarding the coffee grounds, since most magnolias like a slightly acidic soil, some people with too alkaline soil spread coffee grounds around them to acidify the soil a bit. Unless you have a test done to determine your soil pH and find that this is your problem, I wouldn’t apply the coffee grounds directly. Instead, I would compost the coffee grounds, then use that compost, when it’s ready.
How do I find out what kind of Magnoila I have? We bought a new house and they planted one in our front yard but did not leave the tag for the tree nor did they tell us what kind it was.
Jenna,
I would snap some closeup photos of it (i.e., closeups of the flowers, leaves, bark, etc.), plus another photo showing what the overall tree looks like, and then bring those magnolia photos to a local garden center to see if they can identify the type. I say “local garden center” because it may well be a type of magnolia that’s commonly planted in your area, so those folks would have the best chance of being able to identify it.
I have a magnolia that is only 4 ft. tall, and is getting less and less sun because of hemlocks and a maple tree near by. I can trim the hemlocks back but the maple is in a neighbor’s yard.
This magnolia was planted by a previous homeowner in a planter box about 10′ X 15′. It was larger but almost died after heaving snows 2 winters ago. (I am guessing too much water.)
What else can I do to help this tree come back?
Beverly,
Sorry, but, short of transplanting, there’s not much more you can do if the magnolia tree is suffering from lack of sunshine in this planter box.
Hey David,
I live in the Niagara Region in Ontario. The Escarpment there provides us with a Carolinian rainforest. I’m curious to know if a DD Blanchard will do well in this climate as winters can still be tough. An employee at the local greenhouse said that she wraps hers in burlap over the winter months to protect it from frost and suggested doing so for the first few years. Could this help the tree establish itself in this climate?
Thanks
Hi Niagara,
Certainly possible. You can do wonders in a microclimate, so I would trust the opinion of the employee at the local greenhouse on this one, since it's a highly local issue.
live in cental n.j. have a 6 yr old magnolia, don’t know the type, has grown and bloomed all the time. approx 8 feet tall and after flowering this year 3/4 of the trees leaves are shiveling up and the other 1/4 are perfect. is this a fungus ?
Al,
Leaf curl on magnolia trees can be the result of their not getting sufficient water, which puts them under stress. Inspect the soil under the surface to see if it’s evenly moist; if not, irrigate more than you do currently.
Hi, this thread is really helpful, I have learned a lot by reading your comments over the years.
My magnolia tree is 60 years old. It is a Southern Mag and I live in Richmond VA. The roots had gotten into my water main and broke it last November and I had to have a new water main run through the front yard. They trenched as far away from the tree as possible to lay the new water line but it was only about 10 feet away from the trunk because of where the sidewalk lay in the yard.
It stayed green all winter and I can see new leaves sprouting from various areas as well as blooms all over. A handful of buds have opened. However I think there are 3 times as many leaves that have turned brown and fallen so far. There are so many leaves. I don’t recall this many before, ever, having fallen. Every day the ground under is covered again, and they have been falling at least 4 if not 6 weeks. I see many more yellow leaves getting ready to fall. I have been in this house 7 years. The tree is 30 feet tall. Initially I saw only brown and yellow leaves falling but now they seem to be yellow spotted with brown. I see your posts about a brown spotted fungus but the root system being sliced through on 2 sides 10 feet from the house seems to me to be the more likely culprit of distress.
I have had the hose on a trickle all day, thinking maybe the extreme heat we have had lately (upper 90’s already) is making the stress worse. But now I see that this can be bad also.
I have never fertilized or watered this tree. It is in full sun all day long. It is the tallest thing around. I love the tree! It is the nicest thing about my lot. Is there anything that can be done to reduce the stress the tree must certainly be under trying to rebuild the root system or get enough water / nutrients since it is cut short.
Thank you so much.
Rebecca
Rebecca,
On a magnolia tree this size, I would have to say no, unfortunately, there’s not much you can do to minimize the stress. For a smaller tree, I would suggest some shade cloth, but your specimen is too big for that. I think you’ve diagnosed the problem correctly. I regret to say that you’re reduced to relying on luck and patience as “solutions,” however.
My tree is around 8 feet tall 2 years old , has only ever given me one flower thats open , plenty of buds but they fall before opening , i need more flowers what to do please.
I planted a magnolia in the spring of 2010.
During the winter rodents girdled the trunk about 1 inch above the ground.
This spring it started to leaf out but then because of the rodent damage the original trunk died.
Now after about 6 weeks of dormancy, shoots are coming up from below ground and also one sprout is appearing on the original trunk below the damaged area.
Does anyone know whether the shoots will bear the same flowers that the original plant produced?
Newton,
It might be helpful here for us to know the exact type of magnolia tree you have. If someone else has grown that type and has had a similar experience, they may be able to answer your question.
My Magnolia tree loses it’s leaves year round and makes a mess and a lot of work. Why does it lose its leaves?
Charlene,
It’s not necessarily abnormal for some magnolia trees to shed their leaves nearly year-round. I know it’s inconvenient to clean up the mess. But you have the consolation of knowing that, compared to the problems posted above by others, your problem is relatively minor — your specimen, I assume, is healthy, at least.
We bought a home in SE Texas a few months ago that has several older Magnolia trees. One is beautiful, it gets sun and shade. One, my husband “trimmed” a forked branch off…now it seems to be in shock. It bloomed alot this spring, but now is shedding. The last is horrible. It has a big rot spot in the trunk and looks like the previous owners had wire tied around the trunk. (there is a big cut) My question….the one my husband trimmed, do you think that it will be ok? The last is doomed to come down.
Anne,
It’s too soon to tell whether your magnolia tree will be OK. Since you live in Texas (I’m assuming summers are very hot there), it’s quite possible that a shocked plant won’t make it through the summer. You simply may not know until next spring rolls around. Sorry I can’t say anything more encouraging (or more definite) than that.
I have a large Magnolia tree that was struck by lightning a few years back (Wisconsin) and the last couple of years it has been dying. This year we had no flowers and about a dozen leaves – so we cut it down. There is about 2 1/2 ft of trunk left. It is now growing like crazy from the base and edges. Will this grow into a nice tree or will it be an ugly old root stock tree? I hate to have the stump removed if it can be at all saved.
Any help will be appreciated.
Thanks !
Barb,
See my reply above to Newton. With questions of this sort, it becomes more imperative than ever to specify the particular type of magnolia tree you grow. That way, someone out there in the audience who has shared a similar experience may be able to respond.
i have a magnolia tree that bloomed last year… not much but maybe 5.. it is 8 years old..this year it got taller and wider.. and not one flower.. and with that said we had alot of rain and very few hours of sunlight….. do they need more sunlight.. or just light….. they r very fussy..lolthey say apple juice is good for them.. what is the best food for this fussy tree?.. thank u so much.. heather.. from canada.. nova scotia… we had no frost to kill the buds… so it is not that.. i need help..ty
Heather,
There’s a “TreeHelp Premium Fertilizer” for magnolia trees. Not sure how readily available it is in stores.
I live in central wis and have 5 magnolia grandiflorias 3 “little gem ” and 2 “baby grand” I keep them in a cool greenhouse during the cold months and summer them outside in a sunny wind protected area . the trunk size varies from 1 to 2 inches and they are in 20 and 30 gallon plastic tree pots. I purchased them from california and had them shipped via U.P.S. I have been thoroughly pleased with them. The little gem blooms from may into november, then goes dormant during the dark days of nov-jan, the baby grands go into dormancy in sept but start to bloom earlier mar-august.contrary to conventional wisdom I had to prune them heavily due to a late frost that nipped most of the new growth, but the flower buds were still okay. i also prune every flower after blooming and now I am rewarded with very bushy and compact growth(quite vigorous) I also fertilize in spring thru mid-july depending on how much rainfall leaching occurs. I use 30-10-10 and 20-20-20 alternately I also pruned them in early july and I still had many flowers this spring and summer. They are some of the best greenhouse plants I’ve ever had and virtually pest free. I would recommend the dwarf varieties to anyone in northern climates with a greenhouse. Availability is an issue as none of the local or regional have “Magnolia Grandifolia” or have ever heard of them. Personally I like “Baby Grand” best of all and obtained from Monrovia via Clifton’s in Porterville California at http://www.buyplantsonline.com.
Hi, my question is can a magnolia bloom in late July? I planted a so called “Jane Magnolia” on mothers day and it wasn’t doing to well(lots of leaf scorch). Its in full sun from dawn to dusk. So I added a couple more inches of mulch and started watering almost daily. It now looks much better especially at the tips, the tips are very green and even looks as though it’s blooming at a few tips! However they are White buds! I was under the impression that Jane’s had purple blooms. Do you think I got duped, it had no tags, but the owner of the nursery gave me his word that it was a Jane. Also what should I do with the burnt leaves that cover 90% of the tree, should I wait till fall then cut them off or just leave them? Thank you for any info you can share.
If it helps I live in Central New Jersey
Chris,
My own Jane magnolia in the past has furnished a second blooming period (fewer blooms, though) in July. Here is a picture of Jane magnolia, from my yard. As you can see, there is some white in the flower. The area covered by the whitish will expand as the bloom ages. In sunny conditions, the color of the blossom can be an even lighter color. Then again, I can’t deny the possibility of your having been duped.
Hello …
We planted a beautiful cream magnolia as part of a gardening project. It was supported during the first few years with a wooden stake. This was removed too soon in my opinion and now the trees bends significantly. Wind direction only adds to the problem and with a hard rain and wind in the past few days one of the leader branches was torn from the tree. It is growing quickly and my question is what is the best way to now correct the leaning problem. Should it be topped to where the straight strong portion of the trunk is or could it be staked now with strong supports.
Not a tree expert here ….
This is going to be a very tall tree but will be U-shaped soon if something isn’t done. It was also planted just a little too close to the building for comfort. Can it be transplanted?
HELP ….
Thank you in advance
Brenda,
I’d go ahead and stake it again. Obviously, the larger a plant is, the more of a “pull” you have to put into your staking efforts. As for transplanting, it would be better to wait till fall, when the weather cools.
I have a Magnolia that I planted the year my son was born. He is 9 now and has grown considerably but the tree hasn’t. It’s been blooming for 8 years but is still very small. What can the problem be? Thanks!
Christine,
Assuming that your tree is not simply a dwarf, the problem could lie in any of a number of areas. You have not specified your region, how much sun the plant receives, your watering practices, what type of soil you have, what if anything you are using for companion plants, what care you have supplied (amount and type of fertilizer applied, if any) — all of which (and more) are factors in growth or the lack thereof.
I have an older southern Magnolia tree in my yard the has small sprouts 1′ to 4′ tall under the tree. Would it damage the tree if I cut them out? The drip line is about 20′ in diameter and I would like to make it neater, some of the limbs also contact the ground, OK to trim these? Any advice would be appreciated.
David,
Pruning the sprouts out will not hurt anything. I would be less anxious to trim the limbs coming into contact with the ground. Pruning is generally avoided in magnolia tree care unless it is truly necessary. Magnolia trees don’t always respond well to pruning. Having said that (as a word of warning), many people prune them to improve their shape and are quite satisfied with the results. Those who take the leap and prune their magnolia trees often do so after flowering, so they won’t be deprived of the blooms on those branches for that year.
Hello,
I wonder if you could shed some light.
Our seven year old magnolia trees, planted aprox 2 meters apart, are all of a sudden dying.
The leaves are turning brown, and the trees are starting to wither.
They are in a clay soil – but they have never had any problems.
Any advise would be appreciated.
Thanks,
Kathy.
Kathy,
Not much to go on here. But as I suggest in my FAQ on possible reasons for magnolia tree leaves turning brown, one cannot rule out the possibility that an iron deficiency has developed over the years. If I were you, I would have my soil tested as a start.
David,
My magnolia produced 6 seeds last year, of which 1 germinated. I now have a 4″ “tree” in a smallish pot, with a hard winter (Toronto) coming. I do not want to plant it in the ground now (I do not think), but i have had it outside, experiencing autumn, for 6 weeks now. How can i keep it alive over winter? I will plant it next spring outside, protected from our many wildlife. (another 20 seeds this year!)
Thanks,
Hamish,
Personally, I would go ahead and plant it outside. You’ve had it outside 6 weeks, so it is hardened off. Use chicken wire to take care of those would-be plant attackers!
I have two magnolia in my yard, not sure what kind they are, but last weekend we had a nor’easter ( Connecticut ) & both of them got damaged, I had to cut alot off. Now I’m not sure if I need to treat the area’s I cut, or if they will live through the winter & come back in the spring.
Thank you.
Lisa,
Tree care experts generally no longer recommend treating cuts with tree paint or anything of that nature. The wounds on your magnolia should heal over naturally.
Our fairly young magnolia tree had one beautiful bloom last Spring. Now it is January and is covered with buds. We’ve had a mild fall and winter. Is there anything I can do for it?
Wanda,
If you fear that your magnolia buds could be damaged by cold weather, you could consider erecting some sort of temporary windbreak, to provide a sheltered microclimate for the tree. Also, as with any tree, occasionally watering it during the winter when the ground is not frozen is a good idea for the overall health of the plant.
I recently built a house and they planted a magnolia tree in our front yard? I’m starting to worry that once it starts growing its going to over-power my small yard. Is there a way to contain the size, height-wise? I’ve heard that once it gets to the height you want, to cut it off at the top and that will keep it from growing taller. Is that true? I assume that we’ll just need to trim it to take care of the width of it.
Any help or advice would be great!
-Austin, TX
Hi Cassie,
I see you posted this also in my Landscaping Forum. Please see response there.
We have a magnolia tree that was already at our house when we moved in. It was damaged by the ice storms last year & now three fourths of it appears dead. We want to save it if possible, but we know nothing about the care of magnolia’s. Any advice would be greatly appreciated.
Lisa,
Please see my FAQ about dead limbs on magnolia trees.
we just moved to a new home ,,,there is a big tree,,,which needs some TLC in the back yard,,It has pods or buds that look like large pussywillow buds,,,I cant figure out what it is ,,,any help ??? ty
Diane,
You may very well have a star magnolia tree. You can learn more about its care here: Star Magnolia Trees.
Thanks for all the info. on not pruning, I thought it might help it bloom to prune (like other plants and trees) since we have lots of low branches. I have read thru all your comments to find a possible answer, nothing quite fit… I have a 4-5 year old Magnolia in Houston TX (not sure what type, dark green on one side/ brown on the other side of leaves). Has grown well but NEVER bloomed! Gets plenty of sun and well drained/ normal watering. Any way to help it bloom… does it need a specific kind of fertilizer, how can I help it bloom???
Hi Sonia,
A wait of 4-5 years is not unusual. I would give it a little more time. It would not hurt to make sure you’re fertilizing with a fertilizer high in phosphorus.