Southern Magnolia

baldowithav

Hey All, Im Ozzy, new to the forums here. There is certainly a lot of useful information on this site. Definitely in my bookmarks.

Anyways, I planted my very first tree yesterday. You might have guessed what type by the title. Southern Magnolia (i believe that is the correct name). Included is a picture of where i planted this beautiful tree.

My main concern is about the growth of the tree, the only information i can find online is that its a slow grower at 1 - 1.5 ft/yr. The tree stands a total of about 9 - 10 feet (cheap measuring tapes don't stand on their own.) Conservatively I think the tree is about 6 yrs old 10ft/1.5ftyr= 6.66 yrs. (has 2 buds on it)

I bought this tree in a 24" box. Now that it is in the ground will it grow any faster? Will the branches explode with the new found soil the roots have? Does anyone have personal info about a Magnolia tree that you might have planted or watched grow?

Also, is there anything i need to look for while its in shock phase?


Additional Info:
The tree is about 15ft from the house, 10ft from the neighbors walkway.
Southern California: Zone 8
Tree gets sun all day. 10am - 7pm (summer hours)
I planted the tree mainly as a shade tree because my house gets sun alllllll day!!! and we could use some shade in the living room.
House faces WEST.

I Plan on planting another tree closer to the curb (5ft diameter from curb), right now its either a Liquid amber or carrot tree, for maximum shade at different hours of the day.

Thanks for any info.
Ozzy.

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cte539

I hate to say it but that tree has got to be root bound!
What did it look like when you took it out of the box?
If it is a square mass of roots you might be well off to un-plant it and tease the roots apart and then re plant it.
In any event I don't think that tree is going to take off very fast. After trans plant shock it will be slow steady growth for the rest of its life.
Don't see a lot of Southern Mag in NY state. In New Jersey they grow well and are semi-evergreen. The farther south you go the more prevalent they are.
Good luck
Paul

baldowithav

Well thanks for the tip about the root bound...
Ive never actually heard of that term... I just looked it up though. I always thought that touching the roots might even damage the tree.

When i took the box off i did look a little root bound, i was advised by a friend to tease the roots and i did. I wasnt sure how much to tease it but i did enough so that the roots were loose from the root ball. I surely didnt grab into it and pull it apart though. just enough so the tips of the roots were hanging out a little, your making me second guess myself now. haha.

Being that im in California im hoping that the tree can adjust . I know that these trees grow out here easily, there is a street in Riverside, Ca. called Magnolia ave. and the street has magnolia trees over 3 miles of trees. for sure.

If you think i should i can dig around the root ball where the roots are and just loosen up the roots without taking the tree out...

OZzy B.

dcarter

Diggin around the the tree is probably not the best choice of action. Take the tree out of the ground. If the roots are a tangled white mass that built a mat of root between the box and the root ball, then cut them, prune them back. U can simply slice into the ball, looking down on it slice from soil level (root collar) to the bottom of the root ball in a vertical fashion. like cutting a pie into four peices only don't cut near the tree, jut cut in a few inches from the sides of the ball from top to bottom. this will encourage new root growth. check you soil ph and make sure it's right, add some major and minor elements if necessary. Your tree will grow well in sandy/loam soil types and can tolerate a lot of water. While it's growing those new roots be sure to keep it watered well. Also, if you plant it again, you might want to try pushing you water hose (water on) down into the soil between the hole you dug and the root ball. This will help dislodge any air pockets in the roots. Air will kill the roots!!!---And it's Magnolia Grandiflora (Southern Magnolia). In the right conditions your tree will grown to approx 60 feet and be two feet in diameter (roughly). It will grown manificent branches that will eventually self prune to several feet above the ground, just out of climbing reach for children, but these make good climbing trees. The tree may not flower every year due to environment stresses. The discarded seed pods will hurt if stepped on barefoot. GOOD LUCK!!!

baldowithav

OK. thats what im gonna have to do so that i can have a beautiful tree.

THanks Again.
Ozzy.

bsearcey

dcarter talked about the size of these trees. Does anyone else think that it may be a little too close to the house and neighbor's path. I mean the tree has a ways to go, but it will eventually engulf that area.

Garry Brockley

Personally i would relocate that tree away from the house, well away, you are going to have serious problems in the future otherwise

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bsearcey

I'm glad someone else agrees. The poster may not be around when this thing starts to become a problem, but proper placement of this tree can ensure it's around for years to come. More than likely in 10-15 years the new owner or neighbor will just end up cutting it down because it will become a nuisance. It looks like there is ample space further away from the house.

treeshaveneeds

Well, on the plus side the tree is 15 feet from the house, 10 feet from the neighbours -- that's a damn sight better than most trees that end up 1 foot away. Since you're digging it up anyways, it wouldn't hurt to move it another 5 feet away in both directions (from neighbour and self)
You may feel 1 1- 1/2 feet a year is slow, but that is usually considered a fast growing tree in the temperate climates. If it grows to 60 feet, it would rach mature height in 20 years, and then die -- I doubt you want that. Slower growth gives a more stable structure, and you enjoy the tree longer. Liquidambar styraciflua - American Sweetgum or Ginkgo Ginkgo biloba -- male tree -- will also do well here -- but allow for crown spread -- not too many lots can support more than one mature tree.

baldowithav

Thanks for the relocation tips guys, I hate to sound like I know more than yall but, i think i will kill the tree if i keep moving it around. I figured 15 feet from the house and 10 feet from the neighbors would be fine since the branches on the tree are about 7 feet from the ground. i figured the branches would not be in anyone's way.

I Have seen some people plant Canary Island Palm Trees planted like 2 feet from a house window and i thought to myself, those people are nuts, im hoping people are not thinking the same about my little baby.

If i move 5 feet from the neighbors walk way i would be directly in front of my windows which i was trying to avoid. If I move 5 feet from my house i think it would look a little funny. The neighbors have a HUGE mulberry tree in about the same spot i planted the Grandifloria, at least mulberry's can be cut down to the bare knuckles and they will grow back.

I do "plan" on keeping the house for a long time, as a rental, and i do plan on maintaining it as it grows.

THanks Again for the Tips guys, maybe im just stupid and young, but im really trying to get maximum amount of shade as the house does face west, no neighbors in front so no shade at all, and this summer it hits 100F inside when the AC off in no time.

Treeshaveneeds,
I really like the liquid ambers look and how it seems to grow straight up, but there is one more tree I want to research before i plant another one, i want a deciduous to cover up what the Grandiflora doesnt cover during the summer, but during the winter it lets the heat in since it loses its leaves. I saw the tree i want to research down the street from my house in a different neighborhood, I dont know what kind it is, but if i post a picture of the tree and leaf will you guys help identify it?

THanks Again.
Ozzy.

Garry Brockley

Thats ok you do as you wish, but we see this every day and deal with the consequences.

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baldowithav

OK, so its a week later and the tree hasn't drop one leaf YET! I'm taking this as a good sign. Some of the lower branches are not erect anymore though, they are kind of hanging down and a little shriveled up. They are still green though. I think that means im not over watering right? I have been watering every other day.

Im thinking of watering every day now.
The trunk of the tree is kind of soft, is that normal? I was expecting it to be hard rock solid..

Thanks.
Ozzy

TreeSpecialist

As one who specializes in Southern Magnolias (Magnolia grandiflora) I would suggest trashing the tree and starting over.

Mature southern magnolias drop 1 to 2 large garbage bags of leaves each and every week. The lowest limbs on the tree should touch the ground - that way, the leaves just become mulch.

People who have limbed up their magnolias cuss them constantly because of the leaf litter.

Know that the magnolia is a swamp tree and would enjoy 50+ inches of water per year.

If you're in an area with water restrictions, it may not be the best thing to plant.

Also, don't buy a tree from the box stores - buy from a local nurseryman. Look to see what other trees are doing exceptionally well in your neighborhood and then plant one of them. Don't buy a tree just because it looks good on the internet.

Sweet gum (liquid amber) needs a very acidic soil to be happy and have a long life. In an alkaline soil, it will live long enough to be an expensive removal.

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treeshaveneeds

I've generally found Sweetgum grows well in Southern Ontario -- in most locations -- but then we tend towards slightly acidic, or sometimes slightly alkaline (about 0,5 pH either side of neutral)

Hard to say the kind of soil is in California -- never specified.

baldowithav

Well I never did a Soil Test in my yard, but in our neighborhood/community there are A LOT of liquid amber, its actually how i heard about them i like how they grow straight up and are deciduous.

I will have to do a Ph test to be how the dirt is in my yard.
THe Magnolia tree is also a very popular tree in my neighborhood, there are none on my street, but our neighbors behind us, their street, has about 10 or more houses with magnolias. Most are young and aboutn15ft tall, some look like they are 30+ft tall.

I didnt choose the Magnolia because i thought it look pretty on the internet, i grew up in Riverside, Ca. Where one of the main streets that will literally take you cross town 10+miles that is full of Magnolia trees and I remember seeing those trees as our family drove down that street hundreds of times when i was a child.
Ozzy.

treeshaveneeds

There is a really good chance that your soil will be the same as your neighbours' and Liquidambar will grow equally well on your lot. If you like the look of both Liquidambar and Southern Magnolia, fond memories will likely outstrip anything negative we may have experienced. Good Luck!!

Cathmantoo

Hi Baldowithav.
Move that tree, now, and away from the house. It will grow to at least 10m wide, as it does in similar temperate/mediterranean climates of Melbourne and Adelaide. and why in the world would you want to plant an evergreen tree so close to a house anyway? If you must have it then move it to at least 8 to 10m from the house. If you are looking for window shade from the western sun in summer then you only need to plant a smaller deciduous tree such as Gleditsia, Malus, Melia, Morus, etc.( plant most at least 5 m from house). With the bull bay magnolia you will end up with complete dark in those western rooms in winter, not to mention the damage done to the house foundations and gutters etc. That tree is just far too big for it's proximity to the house and a strange choice for summer shade. You mentioned you are renting, so beware the damages bill when the landlord has to remove not only the leaf litter , but bills you for tree removal and foundation damage 10 years in future. Likewise Liquidamber, one of the most removed trees in my similar climate of South Australia, because it grows into a HUGE TREE VERY QUICKLY, It also destroys paving and has intense neighbour-annoying properties. A tree for big parks and reserves only. Plant with care! There are heaps of good smaller deciduous trees for our type of climate, shade in summer, sun in winter. Regards Cathmantoo.

baldowithav

man you guys make me want to cry...
PS. i own the house, i plan on renting it out some time in the future.

treeshaveneeds

Take the advice for what you can, and appreciate the problems, and choose the best course of action. In the end, we can only give advice; the client decides whether or not to listen, and pay attention to what parts.