Sweetbay Magnolia Care Tips For Growing Sweetbay Magnolias

Planting — For best results, plant the sweetbay magnolia in the spring in full or partial shade. It prefers evenly moist, acidic soil, but it will tolerate average garden soil provided the pH is 5.5 to 6.5. This tree grows at a medium to fast rate.

How fast do Sweetbay magnolias grow?

This tree grows at a medium to fast rate, with height increases of anywhere from 13" to more than 24" per year.

Are Sweetbay magnolias messy?

Be aware that even though they are evergreen, sweetbay magnolias drop some old leaves in fall and may drop a few more as they come into bloom. They also drop old petals when they are in bloom and seed cones in late summer and fall. But I would not consider these trees as messy as the popular Southern magnolia.

Do Sweetbay magnolias lose their leaves in winter?

Sweetbay magnolia is semi-evergreen, meaning it will lose its leaves for only a short time during winter (as it's beginning to do in the photo to the right). ...

What is best fertilizer for Magnolias?

An appropriate fertilizer for a magnolia tree would be 12-4-8 or 20-5-10. The amount of fertilizer given is based on the amount of nitrogen required. A general guideline to use for a magnolia tree would be 1/10 pound of nitrogen for every inch of trunk diameter.

Where's the best place to plant a magnolia tree?

Magnolias prefer a spot in the garden that receives full sun to light shade. That said, if you live in a particularly warm or dry climate, your magnolia might benefit from a location shaded from the hot afternoon sun.

Do magnolia trees have deep roots?

Remember that the magnolia root system is very wide, up to four times the width of the tree canopy. In fact, magnolia tree roots spread farther than those of most trees. If your house is within root range, the roots can work their way into pipes under your house.

What are the worst trees to plant?

Trees known for their rather undesirable qualities, and why you should steer clear of them.

Cottonwood. One of the trees you should avoid having in your backyard is certainly cottonwood. ...
Bradford Pear. ...
Mimosa Tree. ...
Mulberry Tree. ...
Chinese Tallow. ...
Norway Maple. ...
Eucalyptus. ...
Quaking Aspen.

How far from the house should I plant a magnolia tree?

In general, plant large trees 30 to 50 feet from the house foundation to prevent damage by the roots. While magnolia roots are not considered invasive, they may seek out leaking water or sewer lines.

Can you keep magnolia trees small?

Although pruning magnolia trees is not necessary, young trees can be shaped as they grow. Trimming a magnolia tree when it is young will also improve the health of the tree and encourage more blooms. Mature magnolia trees do not recover from pruning and can sustain fatal wounds.

What time of year do magnolia trees drop their leaves?

As an evergreen tree, magnolias periodically drop leaves during the year. In April and May they shed a large number of leaves leading up to flowering and putting on new vegetation. The shed leaves are yellowish-brown and often show algal leaf spots.

How do you care for a Sweetbay magnolia?

Planting — For best results, plant the sweetbay magnolia in the spring in full or partial shade. It prefers evenly moist, acidic soil, but it will tolerate average garden soil provided the pH is 5.5 to 6.5. This tree grows at a medium to fast rate.

Why do my magnolia trees drop so many leaves?

A: It takes a lot of energy for trees and shrubs to flower which often causes the plant to drop some of its leaves. Magnolias are notorious for leaf drop just before flowering. It is especially noticeable on evergreen trees that produce large leaves and create a mess when numerous leaves appear to drop at one time.

Are Coffee Grounds Good for Magnolia Trees?

If such a test indicates that your soil is way too alkaline, then, fine, use the fresh coffee grounds around your magnolia tree. Sprinkling fresh coffee grounds around such acid-loving plants will be helpful if the soil in which they are growing is currently too alkaline for them.

Is Seasol good for Magnolias?

the cell walls of the plant become thin and therefore in heat will burn easy and loose water fast. Thickening the cells of the plant by using seasol and powerfeed regularly is a great way to start to turn them around.

Is Epsom salt good for magnolia trees?

Magnolias do flower best in sun and prefer an acidic, loose soil. ... And possibly, if your tree is old enough, Epsom salts can help, since it helps release elements in the soil for better plant absorption.

Do magnolia trees need a lot of water?

In general, you should water magnolia trees once a week during the first two growing seasons and twice a month in subsequent years. Magnolias planted in sandy soils need regular watering in smaller amounts, while magnolias in clay soils require deep, infrequent waterings.

What can I plant around a magnolia tree?

Magnolia Companion Plants: What Grows Good With Magnolia Trees

Magnolias have a large canopy that dominates the landscape. ...
Camellias are lovely shrubs with flowers that echo the shape and texture of magnolia flowers, but in a smaller size and wider range of colors. ...
Bulbs make ideal magnolia tree companions.

Are magnolia trees fast growing?

These trees grow to a height of 80 feet (24 m.) tall with a spread of some 40 feet (12 m.). Southern magnolia facts suggest that the trees grow quite fast, shooting up some 12 to 24 inches (30-60 cm.) per year.

Can you dig up and replant a magnolia tree?

Magnolias can be safely transplanted if the trunk is no more than 4 inches in diameter. ... Magnolias should be transplanted in the winter or spring but not in the fall. When digging out the root ball to transplant, width is more important than depth, because most of the roots are in the top foot of soil.

Can a magnolia tree damage house foundations?

However, magnolia tree roots are not considered as invasive and potentially destructive as some root systems. But their large spread can affect weak foundations. Large magnolia trees can indirectly lead to foundation problems if they shield a house wall from sunlight and create damp conditions.

Do Magnolia have invasive roots?

The roots of Little Gem Magnolia have a characteristic of wide-spreading, stretching from trunk to a span of four times the umbrella diameter but they're non-invasive.