Mississippi’s state tree is the Southern Magnolia (Magnolia grandiflora). This sometimes deciduous, sometimes evergreen tree is also known as evergreen magnalia, bull-laurel, big-laurel, big-flowered magnalia. Grandflora can be found growing wild from North Carolina south to Florida and west to eastern states. Texas This US native tree can reach heights of 60-90 feet with a trunk diameter of 2-3 feet. Southern magnolia is hardy in Zones 6-9.
Grandiflora is best suited to rich, sandy, well-drained, acidic soils, especially around streams and marshes. The soil must be well drained, so the place of choice are outwashes. The tree prefers full sun, but will tolerate partial shade.
The southern magnolia tree is a favorite ornamental tree. The white flowers measure 8-12 inches across and are fragrant, and the leathery leaves are 5-8 inches long and rich green. Blooms in April through June, depending on the cultivar. Monoecious flowers are pollinated by insects and seed production is prolific. The fruits ripen towards September. Magnolia fruits are cone-shaped reddish-brown that measure 4 inches long. When the fruit is fully ripe, the seeds are red bean-shaped seeds that emerge from the hanging threads of the cone. The seeds are eaten by squirrels, opossums, quails, and wild turkeys.
There are some 5 farmers left in the Zone, but Magnolia belongs to the south. Magnolia is an excellent street tree. It is often seen in the specimen of a tree, or it was used to make an entrance or a road, or a path, or a vista. Magnolia in residential, course, and park landscapes. When planted in rows, large trees provide a good buffer.
The canopy can spread 30-50 feet, so this is a tree that needs a camera. The pyramidal growth habit is dense and the branches can remain at ground level. Magnolia is nothing that is good. tree benefits from pruning end after anthesis. Litter is great for cleaning because the dense leaves don’t rot easily.
In forests seeds will germinate under dense cover, but not under large trees. In cultivation, trees grow quickly from seed. Some cultivars are grafted or arise from cuttings. Commercial magnolias should be in a container or balled in burlap, because they do not transfer well.
Southern magnolia is harvested commercially for furniture and plates. The forest is dense, heavy, and very hard. Some research indicates that the leaves, fruits, bark and wood exhibit potential in pharmaceutical applications.
There are more than 100 cultivators available or commercially available.
The southern magnolia has predators. A dry winter can damage or kill trees. The seeds are especially susceptible to cold. Some fungi cause rot, and magnolia scale (Neolecanium cornuparium) has been known to kill branches or entire trees. The tree is susceptible to aphids and leaf spot.
Sources
Magnolia grandiflora, US Forest Services, http://www.fs.fed.us/database/feis/plantae/tree/maggra/all.html
Magnolia grandiflora, FloriData, http://www.floridata.com/ref/m/magno_g.cfm
Magnolia grandiflora, University of Connecticut, http://www.ipm.uconn.edu/Plants/m/maggra/maggra1.html
