Information on the Southern Magnolia Tree

Southern magnolias feature prominent flowers.

The evergreen southern magnolia is one of America's most "beautiful" native trees, notes the "National Audubon Society Field Guide to Trees." With its straight trunk, cone shape and features such as showy fragrant flowers, the southern magnolia has many ornamental and landscaping usages.

Size

The southern magnolia can grow to be from 60 to 90 feet tall, with thick leaves in the 5- to 10-inch long range and flowers that can reach diameters of 1 foot. The southern magnolia's flowers turn into 3- to 8-inch long follicles of bright red fruit.

Uses and Growing Conditions

Southern magnolias make exemplary specimen plants, but the tree also serves as a shade tree and can form buffers between property lines. The southern magnolia grows in full sunshine or some shade, with the tree able to develop in many soil types; it does not do well though in compacted ground, such as you would find on a construction site.

Considerations

One of the problems you should consider when thinking about planting a southern magnolia is that the tree's leaves and fruit, when they fall, can make quite a mess. When mowing next to one, avoid bumping the thin bark, as this can easily precipitate damage and allow insects and diseases access to the tree.

References

• University of Connecticut Plant Database: Southern Magnolia
• "Trees of North America"; C. Frank Brockman; 1996
• "National Audubon Society Field Guide to Trees"; Elbert L. Little; 2008