Tree of the Week: Southern Magnolia

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Good morning. After a week of turmoil in the housing industry, we bring you a moment of calm at LA Land: tree of the week. This week our tree-loving friend Pieter Severynen celebrates a true classic, Southern Magnolia.

Southern Magnolia – Magnolia grandiflora

‘Big in every way, the classic Southern Magnolia from the humid Southern USA has adapted well to the Southland. It is an evergreen, summer blooming, pyramidal tree to 60’ tall by 40’ wide, with up to 10” long, stiff, leathery, glossy leaves that are typically fuzzy brown underneath, and equally large, showy, fragrant, white flowers. Some fruits develop in fall to 4” pods that open to reveal bright red seeds.

‘An impressive tree, it takes little care, wet soil if drainage is good and lawn watering. Its drawbacks are slow growth, leaves that don’t easily decompose, no flowers when young, (up to age 15), dense shade, and roots that may lift nearby paving. Since growers recognized that not everybody has lots of space and patience they developed several smaller sized, earlier blooming varieties, some only 20- 25’ tall.’

Thanks, Pieter
Email Pieter: plseve@earthlink.net
Photo Credit: AndalusiaFarm.org