What Is a Magnolia Tree?
Magnolia trees are most commonly associated with the American South. Up to 80 species of magnolia trees exist, native to the United States, Mexico, Central America and Asia. However, the most common magnolias include Southern magnolia (Magnolia grandiflora), star magnolia (M. stellata) and saucer magnolia(M. x soulangiana). Magnolia trees will vary greatly from species to species. Does this Spark an idea?
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Size
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The Southern magnolia is one of the largest of all the species, growing to 60 to 80 feet tall with a spread of 30 to 50 feet. They are slow growers, gaining 1 to 2 feet per year. The star magnolia is much smaller, only attaining heights of 15 to 20 feet tall and gaining a spread of 10 to 15 feet wide. Star magnolias are slow growers, gaining less than a foot per year. The hybrid saucer magnolia grows 20 to 30 feet tall and wide and gains about a foot per year.
Identification
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Southern magnolias are known for their glossy, green leaves and large, white flowers. These flowers, which are highly fragrant with an 8- to 12-inch diameter, bloom in May and June. Star magnolia flowers are much smaller and bloom in February and March before the tree's leaves appear. The flowers are pink or white and have a nice smell. Saucer magnolias bloom in March and April. They produce large, white flowers with a pink or purple shading.
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Use
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Southern magnolias are used as patio trees, or as screens and hedges. Since they grow tall, Southern magnolias make good shade and privacy trees. They need a lot of room and should only be considered if you have a big property. Star magnolias must be planted in full sunlight and are often used as border accents or patio plants. The saucer magnolia is frequently used in landscaping and planted in clusters. It likes full sunlight but tolerates some shade.
Problems
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Magnolia trees do not have problems with many pests. In some cases, scale bugs may infest your tree. However, magnolias do sometimes suffer from diseases such as black mildew, canker and leaf spot. Weather is a bigger concern. A deep freeze may break the tree's soft wood. Take care when pruning or mowing near the tree, as the soft bark is easy to damage.
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References
- Photo Credit magnolia image by Edsweb from Fotolia.com
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Comments
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THE MAGNOLIA TREE. There's a majestic, old magnolia tree, That stands in my front yard;. It's a tree that's grown there for ages, And whose beauty you can't disregard. She spreads her branches quite nobly, And her stance is that of a queen;. She stretches her arms so commandingly, As if certainly crying out to be seen. She's the center of much activity, And I know a squirrel family lives there;. I'm sure she affords them much comfort, For her branches don't ever go bare. There's so much that's gone on around her, I'm sure that so much could be told;. But, she keeps all her secrets well guarded. And, simply, remains a sight to behold. 2008 Patricia Neely-Dorsey. from Reflections of a Mississippi Magnolia -A Life in Poems.
