How tall do southern magnolia trees grow?
Southern Magnolia Native to the southeastern United States Large, glossy, leathery leaves 5-8 inches long Fragrant white flowers Mature Height: 60 to 80 feet tall Growth Rate: Slow to moderate growth (between 12 and 18 inches per year)
How long does a magnolia tree live?
A Southern magnolia, given a home in rich, moist, well-drained soil and a humid environment and plenty of room to grow to its maximum height of 80 feet tall and 40 feet in diameter, could live 80 to 120 years.
What does Magnolia grandiflora look like?
Magnolia grandiflora is a large, broadleaf evergreen tree that is noted for its attractive dark green leaves and its large, extremely fragrant flowers. It typically grows to 60-80’ tall with a pyramidal to rounded crown and a spread of 30-50' tall and 20-40' wide.
Do southern magnolias grow in Zone 6?
Before you start planting a southern magnolia tree, read up on its growing requirements. These magnolias are surprisingly hardy for trees termed “southern.” Southern magnolia facts tell you that they thrive in U.S. Department of Agriculture plant hardiness zones 6 through 10. This means that gardeners in half the nation can cultivate them.
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Can you keep a southern magnolia small?
The good news is that magnolias don't grow very fast. It can take 20 years for them to reach 20 feet tall. Plus, keeping them in a planter with limited root space will also limit their top growth, especially with some judicious pruning.
How fast does a southern magnolia tree grow?
Growth Rate This tree grows at a slow to medium rate, with height increases of anywhere from less than 12" to 24" per year.
How much space does a southern magnolia tree need?
The Southern magnolia (Magnolia grandiflora) grows 50 to 90 feet tall in USDA zones 6 through 10. The leaves measure about 8 inches and the flowers can reach 14 inches across depending on the cultivar. In general, plant large trees 30 to 50 feet from the house foundation to prevent damage by the roots.
How tall do Southern magnolias grow?
60 to 80 ftGrowth and Yield- On good sites, southern magnolia trees average 18 to 24 in (60 to 80 ft) tall and 61 to 91 cm (24 to 36 in) in d.b.h. in 80 to 120 years.
Where is the best place to plant a magnolia tree?
full sunMagnolias grow best in fertile, well-drained, slightly acidic soil in full sun. Choose a sheltered spot that is not in a low-lying frost pocket – frost can damage the flowers.
How far from the house should you plant a magnolia tree?
about 50 feet awayDetermining how far from your home you should plant a magnolia tree is no easy feat. However, it's best to measure about 50 feet away from your house to ensure you don't run into trouble as the tree matures.
Where should you not plant a magnolia tree?
Magnolias prefer full sun to light shade. If you live in a particularly warm or dry climate, your magnolia might benefit from a location shaded from the hot afternoon sun. If possible, avoid exposed, windy locations because strong winds can damage large flowers and the typically brittle branches.
Are Southern magnolia tree roots invasive?
Are magnolia roots invasive? The answer is yes and no. While the roots are not necessarily invasive, you may get magnolia tree root damage when the trees grow too close to your house. Most tree roots seek a water source, and magnolia tree roots are no exception.
How messy are Southern magnolias?
Southern magnolia is most frequently grown as a single specimen tree in the landscape. Its coarse-textured leaves provide an excellent background for shrubs, particularly needle evergreens. Since the tree sheds old leaves each spring and seed pods in late summer, it can be messy when planted in a lawn area.
How big is a 10 year old magnolia tree?
Magnolia Tree Lifespan Magnolias are medium to rapid growers —a cucumber tree (Magnolia acuminate), hardy from USDA zones 3 through 8, can grow over 25 feet tall in 10 years —about as fast as a silver maple (Acer saccharinum), hardy from USDA zones 3 through 9.
Can you keep a magnolia tree small?
Always prune between mid-summer and early autumn when the leaves are fully open. If you need to limit the size of your magnolia, aim to maintain an open crown with a uniform shape. It's better to cut back to a fork or the trunk, which gives a better appearance.
Does southern magnolia need full sun?
Magnolia grows best in acidic (pH 5.0 to 6.0) well drained, loamy, moist, rich soils. They are tolerant of high soil moisture but cannot withstand prolonged inundation. Partial shade or full sun is ideal. Trees should be mulched to the dripline to make watering and fertilization easier and to promote root growth.
How can I make my magnolia tree grow faster?
Mulching under a magnolia tree can spur it to grow quickly by keeping the roots cool and moist during hot summer months. For best results, spread straw, shredded bark or another organic mulch in spring, extending the mulched zone a foot or two past the tree's root zone; renew the mulch as it breaks down.
When should you plant a southern magnolia tree?
Plant these trees in late spring or early fall, and be aware it can take 10 to 20 years for them to reach their full size.
What type of magnolia tree grows the fastest?
Which Magnolia Tree Is The Fastest Growing? Of all of the magnolia trees you can plant throughout your yard, it's the Ssouthern magnolia that grows the fastest. Southern magnolia trees grow up to two feet per year, topping out the magnolia species growth rate.
What is the life expectancy of a magnolia tree?
It has a conical crown that grows approximately 50–90 ft tall and 2–4 ft in diameter; and it may live 80– 120 years (Maisenhelder, 1970; MFC, 2007). Some southern magnolias may grow as wide as tall (Dirr, 1998).
How big does a magnolia grow?
A Magnolia can grow up to 60 ft tall and 9 to 18 ft wide. However, there are also smaller varieties that can be planted in the garden.
How to prune a magnolia ?
During the first 3 or 4 years of planting, young magnolias can be pruned to shape their silhouette. After 4-5 years, the magnolia will be well established and will not need pruning.
Where should I plant magnolias?
Choose a sunny or semi-shaded location. Since magnolia smells great, you may want to choose a location near the patio or balcony.
Do magnolias need pruning?
Regular pruning will stimulate the regrowth of branches but also keep the tree in a dense, bushy, elegant and balanced shape. This pruning may be necessary to contain the development of magnolias grown in pots and in small gardens.
How tall do magnolia trees grow?
In fact, it is Mississippi's state tree. Southern magnolias typically grow to a height of sixty to eighty feet and a diameter of approximately forty feet.
Where is Southern Magnolia found?
Southern Magnolia. The southern magnolia, a tree indigenous to the southeastern United States but sporadically found all along the East coast, is a broadleafed evergreen. It is relatively hardy, growing even in the colder climates of Washington, Michigan, and Maine, but fares best in the south. In fact, it is Mississippi's state tree.
What are magnolia twigs?
A grouping of magnolia branches. Southern magnolia twigs are generally gray, brown and green. They are fairly brittle. The branches generally droop as the tree grows, and will require pruning for vehicular or pedestrian clearance beneath the canopy.
How many petals does a magnolia have?
Although southern magnolias possess a number of dicot features, most notably two cotyledons, their flowers actually have six petals, a feature usually belonging only to monocots. It is the state flower of Louisiana. Interestingly, the magnolia flower is associated with nobility, perseverance, dignity and a love of nature.
What is magnolia bark used for?
Interestingly, magnolia trees have been used for centuries in herbal remedies. The bark appears to have two main uses as a steroid and as an anti-anxiety medication . Two active ingredients have been isolated from the plant: honokiol and magnolol. Both are potent antioxidants, and honokiol has been shown to be up to five times stronger than Valium in its anti-anxiety effects. Magnolol, on the other hand, has been shown to increase the body’s production of corticosteroids, thereby reducing inflammation from autoimmune responses. As such, it has been used to treat asthma. Both compounds also appear to possess anti-microbial properties against gram positive and acid fast bacteria.
Why do magnolias grow in urban areas?
Additionally, in many urban areas where other species do poorly, this magnolia can grow because of its resistance to damage by sulfur dioxide. Southern Magnolias tend to coexist with other species such as sweet gum, black tupelo, and water oak.
What is the color of magnolia bark?
0.15 m. Hide. Bark. Southern magnolia bark. Southern magnolia bark is typically gray and smooth, although it does tend to possess a number of small lenticels. Lenticels are tiny openings in the stems of plants that allows gas exchange to occur. In this way, their function is similar to that of stomata.
What is a magnolia tree?
Image by nickkurzenko. Southern magnolia ( Magnolia grandiflora) is a magnificent tree cultivated for its glossy, green leaves and lovely, white blossoms. Remarkably flexible for an outstanding ornamental, southern magnolia thrives not only in the South but also in the Pacific Northwest.
What color are magnolia flowers?
The petals grow in white or ivory and these cup-shaped blooms can grow to over a foot across! Those growing southern magnolia generally rave about the sweet delightful fragrance of the flowers. When the flowers fade, look for brown cones and bright red seeds .
What zone do magnolias grow in?
Southern magnolia facts tell you that they thrive in U.S. Department of Agriculture plant hardiness zones 6 through 10. This means that gardeners in half the nation can cultivate them. On the other hand, you’ll want to find a location with deep, loamy or sandy soil that is acidic or at least pH neutral.
How much sun do magnolias need?
If you want a healthy tree with the maximum number of spring flowers, plant your magnolia in full sun. It will also grow in partial shade as long as it gets at least four hours a day of direct, unfiltered sunlight. If you live in the north, provide the tree protection from winter sun.
What is the root system of southern magnolia?
The root system of the southern magnolia is shallow and wide-spreading. Provide adequate irrigation without leaving the soil wet.
Who is the magnolia tree named after?
Magnolias are named after French botanist Pierre Magnol. He spotted the trees and liked them so much that he brought some to Europe three centuries ago. Before you start growing southern magnolias, you need to realize that your slender saplings will mature into very large trees.
Is Southern Magnolia Deciduous or Evergreen?
The leaves are long and leathery, growing up to 10 inches (25.5 cm.) long. Southern magnolia is an evergreen, so you’ll see those glossy, deep green leaves on the canopy all winter long.
