My Southern Magnolia Has No Leaves and Dead Branches
Southern magnolia (Magnolia grandiflora) is an evergreen tree that bears large, fragrant flowers. It is a popular landscape tree in warm climates. Southern magnolia is prone to some diseases that may affect its foliage and branches. Does this Spark an idea?
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Causes of Dead Branches
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Dead branches on a southern magnolia may be the result of disease, such as verticillium wilt, a fungal disease caused by soil-borne pathogens, or canker diseases. In both cases, dead branches will need to be pruned off.
Determining If Branches Are Dead
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There are signs to look for that will ascertain whether branches are dead and need to be cut away. Dead branches have no leaves at all or leaves that are completely brown. You can scratch away some of the bark on the branch with your thumbnail or a knife. If there is green wood underneath the scratch, the branch is still viable. If it is brown, the wood is dead. Branches that have been dead for some time will be stripped of bark.
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Leaves
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If the branches of the magnolia tree die, the leaves will fall off. Fungal leaf spots may also cause premature defoliation. Raking and disposing of infected leaves will prevent the spread of this disease.
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References
- University of Florida IFAS Extension; Magnolia grandiflora; Edward F. Gilman and Dennis G. Watson
- Missouri Botanical Garden: Verticillium Wilt
- Bartlett Tree Research Laboratories: Southen Magnolia
- Tree Inspection: How to Spot a Dangerous Tree
- UMass Extension: Should Tree Branches Be Pruned If They Did Not Leaf Out Because of a Late Spring Frost?
- Photo Credit George Marks/Retrofile/Getty Images
