Magnolia Tree Growth Rate

Magnolia trees, with their showy flowers, are popular trees.

If you live in or have ever visited the South, odds are that you have witnessed the splendor of the large, stately magnolia trees that are so abundant in the region. There are many species of magnolia with varied growth rates.

Southern Magnolia

The southern magnolia is the quintessential magnolia. Found widely across the Southeast, these stately trees can be about 80 feet tall and 40 feet across at maturity. The trees grow at what is considered a slow to medium growth rate, typically growing around 12 inches a year. In ideal conditions, the southern magnolia may grow as much as 2 feet in a year, but this is pretty rare.

Sweetbay Magnolia

The sweetbay magnolia is a smaller variety of magnolia tree, with a slightly wider growing range than its more popular cousin, the southern. The sweetbay will typically reach about 20 feet tall and 20 feet high. It enjoys a faster growth rate than the southern magnolia as well, averaging about 1 to 2 feet a year.

Cucumbertree Magnolia

The cucumbertree is one of the more versatile magnolia species. It enjoys one of the widest growing ranges, spreading from zone 4 through zone 8. A mature cucumber tree can be 80 feet tall and 40 feet across. Much like its cousin, the sweetbay, the cucumbertree enjoys a medium to fast growth rate and can put on as much as 2 feet of height a year.

References

• Arbor Day Foundation: Magnolia, Southern
• Arbor Day Foundation: Magnolia, Cucumbertree
• Arbor Day Foundation: Magnolia, Sweetbay