Gorgeous, white, blooms open in spring and summer revealing a lovely, sweet, lemon scent. That is fine with me. Planting — For best results, plant the sweetbay magnolia in the spring in full or partial shade. The Sweetbay Magnolia has glistening dark green leaves with a silver underside that has a frosted appearance. In cool climates -- if pruned regularly -- it remains a shrub. Answer + 14. The sweetbay magnolia requires acidic soil with a pH of 5.0 to 6.5. Sweetbays also like soils that are acidic and a little on the organic side, they are also tolerant of moist soils. Pruning: Prune to desired shape and to remove dead and broken branches after flowering. Iron chlorosis may set in if the soil is alkaline. Some owners note that the tree flowers profusely when grown in light shade, while a few note that it does not flower as well in shade, but do not specify whether that is light shade or dark shade. Prune away all dead, damaged or crowded growth from the magnolia immediately after it finishes flowering. Plan the shape of the sweetbay magnolia before pruning any branches. I am considering planting a row of Sweetbay Magnolias along a fence line, and I am wondering how far apart to space them. The tree provides excellent vertical definition in a shrub … For a multiple-stemmed base, prune away any stems that appear diseased, crooked or broken. With a nice root system, it's ok to use the Sweet Bay Magnolia near your house. It prefers soil that is always a bit moist, so it is found near swamps and marshes, as well as near the riverbanks, streams, and ponds. Order yours now! Often grown as ornamental or showpiece trees, the Sweetbay’s beauty belies the strength within. The tree will also be more susceptible to disease. The Sweetbay Magnolia is an evergreen tree in its natural range. The type of tool to use depends on the thickness of the branches. Her past writing experience includes school news reporting, church drama, in-house business articles and a self-published mystery, "Duty Free Murder. Depending on your climate and variety, this could be in spring or summer. Pruning Time 2. sweetbay magnolia pruning. In spite of the height this tree can reach, it also makes an attractive container tree, patio tree, or smaller tree in a small yard or garden, since it takes well to pruning. The Sweetbay Magnolia is a magnificent tree that demands admiration. It was planted last fall. A cluster of stems grows from the base of a young tree. Bright green leaves with a silvery back shimmer and shine as the wind blows. Follow the natural shape of the sweetbay magnolia to make any other pruning cuts. Deer and cattle consider the leaves to be somewhat of a delicacy, and will browse at length on any branches they can reach. It would make a lovely addition to your landscape. Cut these stems back to the supporting branch. 7 years ago. Prized for its fragrant flowers, showy conelike fruit, handsome foliage, and smooth gray bark, Magnolia virginiana (Sweet Bay Magnolia) can be grown as a graceful, slender tree or as a multi-stemmed shrub. While most comments have to do with the blossoms and fragrance of the tree, quite a few mention the silver undersides of the dark green leaves, and what a beautiful sight they can be when it is breezy or windy. When new sprouts appear, prune them to the ground, as well. In other words, since this can be a fairly large tree if not pruned back. This magnolia can even be pruned to grow as a shrub. I have a sweetbay magnolia planted August 2011 that looks like it has a poodle cut. The 2"-3" creamy white flowers have a light lemon scent and are visible in late spring and early summer. 2007). Never prune a tulip magnolia after July 1st as the new flower buds for the following spring have already been formed. On the east coast, the tree will grow as far north as New York. There are methods available to make your soil more acidic if it is close to neutral (7.0) pH. Still other sources indicate the tree can be grown in Zones 5 through 10. They prefer full sun to light shade and a protected location from harsh winter winds. Plant sweetbay magnolia in narrow corridors or urban areas where you need a compact tree. Hello, I am hoping you can help me. Gardeners are advised to wait until the tree is at least two years old before doing any heavy pruning, as a younger tree may not survive if too many of its stem branches are cut back to the ground. Learn how to prune Magnolias from renowned pruning guru Cass Turnbull, founder of PlantAmnesty. In reviewing gardener’s forums, comments on this magnolia tree are mostly quite positive. It can be propagated from either woody stem or softwood cuttings, from semi-hardwood cuttings, or from seed. This small tree is an excellent choice near patios, wood edges, and shrub borders. It has fragrant, creamy-white flowers and glossy, dark green leaves with silvery undersides. Prune after flowering. It is best suited for USDA zones 5 through 10. When in bloom during late spring and early summer,the tree gives off a light vanilla scent, which many owners of the tree say is more pronounced in the early morning hours. Some describe the fragrance as having somewhat more of a light lemony scent. Sweetbay magnolia is a late blooming tree native to the eastern United States. Lori Lapierre holds a Bachelor of Arts and Science in public relations/communications. Pruning the magnolias however was not going to give a good outcome for the homeowners, the view or the tree. It typically has about 5 main trunks, with branches low down, and forms a dense, upright tree of considerable beauty. Pruning– Prune after the … According to at least one owner, meaning they can make a mess if not raked up fairly quickly. Although, it also tends to do well in the Midwest, and can be grown as far north as Chicago. These are among some of the most attractive or aromatic magnolias worldwide: Sweetbay magnolia; Wilson’s magnolia; Purple-red magnolia; Port Wine magnolia Comment About Pruning Sweet Bay Magnolia does not require pruning, however it can be pruned. This magnolia appears as a landscape specimen tree in non-native states in U.S. Department of Agriculture plant hardiness zones 5 through 10. magnolia pruning. It prefers evenly moist, acidic soil, but it will tolerate average garden soil provided the pH is 5.5 to 6.5. The Sweetbay Magnolia, Magnolia virginiana, was the first American magnolia to be introduced into Europe, in 1678, where it created a sensation. The leaves, often lustrous on top and silvery underneath, are light to dark green depending on location. For 17 years, she worked for a Fortune 500 company before purchasing a business and starting a family. For one thing, magnolia trees do not heal as well as most trees from pruning cuts (which can lead to the introduction of diseases), and, for another, you can easily spoil the looks of a magnolia tree by getting carried away in pruning it. orchid_ladycats. Sweetbay has a natural conical form and should be pruned to this shape. Give it at least 15 feet of room, so you can easily access your exterior. It can grow to a mature height of 50 feet in the north or to 60 feet in the south. The tree it self can attain a height of up to 50′, although a height of 20′ to 25′ is more common. As pruning wounds may not heal well, shaping should be done early in the life of the tree to avoid big cuts. For this type of vigorous pruning, the plant must be at least two years old; a younger plant may not survive. You can prune out unwanted, extra long stray branches that spoil the shape of the tree. Amend the soil around the sweetbay magnolia once each year in early spring by adding iron sulfate, if you have persistently alkaline soil. Its soft, even-grained wood is used commercially in the production of containers and boxes, and at times furniture, as it is an easy wood to work with. They tend to be a little fussier than other Magnolias though. When sweetbay is pruned in more northern latitudes, it can “fill-out” and be more shrub-like in appearance. Thin out crowded branches. Growing Tips. This tree grows at a medium to fast rate. Trimming Sweetbay Magnolia Trees. You need to catch this one … This tree grows quite rapidly. Trees glimmer in the wind due to the whitish-green undersides of the leaves. Crowded branches can wrap around each other or exhibit poor health. Be sure to rake up and get rid of the fallen leaves. Insofar as hardiness is concerned, the recommended USDA planting Zones are 5 through 9, though some claim Zones 6 through 9 as being more a more accurate figure. If the stems from the base are allowed to remain intact, the magnolia can be trained as a shrub. Magnolias are generally soft-wooded and may be prone to breakage in ice storms. The Sweetbay Magnolia Tree delivers creamy-white blooms on a beautiful, dense shade tree. Additional Information: Cone-like fruits with bright red seeds mature in fall and can be showy. It may grow from several trunks, so if a single trunk in desired, prune the tree around a central leader. Sweetbay magnolia produces creamy-white, aromatic flowers during the warm months, providing beauty and fragrance from June to fall. Another evergreen, the sweet bay magnolia (M. virginiana), is smaller, growing to a height of 35 feet with an equal spread. If the stems from the base are allowed to remain intact, the magnolia can be trained as a shrub. 13 years ago. The fruit of the Sweetbay Magnolia consists of an aggregate of follicles roughly 2” in length. The Sweet bay Magnolia is an ornamental tree with a lot to offer. Sweetbay Magnolia is a neat tree with fragrant cream colored flowers in summer. Always use sharp pruning tools when pruning a tulip magnolia. The Moonglow Sweetbay Magnolia is a large multi-stem tree, growing to 35 feet tall and spreading 20 to 25 feet wide within 20 years of planting. It is not strong enough however to be used in home construction, or for anything required to bear more than a light load. So what once was a burned out area will soon have new magnolia trees, a number of which can easily form a thicket. There is some truth to this. Heavy pruning before the tree is dormant can be damaging to the tree if you take more than 3'. To obtain a strong, central leader for the tree, remove all branches but one from the base. There does appear to be leaf "nodes" but they never came out last year. Make any training cuts, depending on whether you want a central leader or multiple-stemmed base. The tree is supposedly at its best when grown in very light shade or full sunlight. If one is burned to the ground, seeds previously dropped by it will begin to sprout quite freely. Evergreen to semi-evergreen in mild climates, the foliage of lanceolate shiny green leaves glimmers in the wind as a result of their silvery undersides. Plants may be coppiced (Hodges et al., 2010). Prune to shape the sweetbay magnolia tree when it’s young. Sweetbay Magnolia, Magnolia virginiana, is a small multi-stem tree that is increasing in popularity. Magnolia roots tend to girdle (circle the trunk or root ball). It naturally takes on a pyramid shape, wider at the base and narrower at the top. Some comments could be considered neutral, but there are very few who have anything particularly negative so say about the tree. On the eastern seaboard, in the South, and as far west as Texas, the sweetbay magnolia ((Magnolia virginiana) is a native evergreen tree that grows to heights of 50 feet in the wild. In general, most need little pruning except to remove unhealthy or dead limbs and branches, and the deciduous varieties of magnolia trees should only be reluctantly pruned due to risk of damage. I have a Sweet Bay Magnolia that I purchased at a local natives nursery for very little money because the top had been been damaged. They are very noticeable as you drive by them on interstates along water-logged woodlands. Best offers for your Garden - https://amzn.to/2InnD0w ----- When to Prune a Magnolia Tree. They tend to be a little fussier than other Magnolias though. These trees are often classified as wetland plants, and even with irrigation, you won’t have any luck growing sweetbay magnolias in dry soils. Sweetbay Magnolia Care. The bark is thin, and easily damaged by mowers and string trimmers. When it is grown in localities where it does drop its leaves.The fallen leaves behave something like maple leaves. Test your soil before planting the sweetbay magnolia as it needs acidic soil for the best growth. 1. Do not prune in winter or early spring, as the tree may not produce any blossoms the following year. The one by the patio deck is lush and doing great. Its natural range is in the southeastern part of the United States. ", How to Prune Pear Trees to Multiple Leaders, Alabama Cooperative Extension: Pruning Tips For March And April, Southern Living Magazine: The Complete Guide to Magnolia Trees, Texas A&M University: Aggie Horticulture -- Follow Proper Pruning Techniques, The Ohio State University: Magnolia Virginiana, University of Florida Horticulture: Magnolia Virginiana, Sweetbay Magnolia, Canadian Gardening Magazine: How To Pick The Right Loppers And Pruning Tools, Sunset Magazine: Climate Zones, Central California, Willis Orchards: Magnolia Virginiana 'Sweetbay', How to Trim Large Bushes Into Small Trees, How to Prune Crab Apples for the Best Shape. And this magnolia’s stunning flowers burst in late spring and early summer, giving you a blizzard of blooms. The tree has a columnar shape. If all of the branches but one are removed from the base, leaving a central leader, the eventual result can be anything from a small tree to a large one. But if you still decide to prune, consider this advice: Prune these branches all the way to their base, where they intersect with a stronger branch. Like most magnolia trees, the Sweetbay Magnolia (Magnolia virginiana) is noted for its creamy white to nearly white flowers,which are set against a backdrop of shiny dark green leaves. Serious sweetbay magnolia diseases Its botanical name suggests this tree would tend to do better in southern climates. A cluster of stems grows from the base of a young tree. It will reach about twenty feet in height at maturity. Sweetbay Magnolia is a neat tree with fragrant cream colored flowers in summer. For a central leader, choose the straightest stem at the base and cut away all remaining stems to the ground. One has to think of the neighbors and their lawns and gardens when planting one in a subdivision, or in any densely populated residential area. If growing the magnolia as a shrub, retain the multiple base stems for a fuller look. Plants need proper sunlight and air filtration. How to Use Sweet Bay Magnolia in the Landscape. In addition to making the pruning job easier, sharpened equipment makes clean cuts, protecting the plant from disease or pests. The Sweetbay Magnolia is one tree that manages to survive wildfires quite well. It is also tolerant to wet sites, such as pond edges and low areas in a landscape. Pruning evergreen magnolias is carried out for three reasons, to encourage a bushy habit to maintain size and shape and to rejuven… Most people have no clue when planting that trees grow out in ALL directions, above and below the ground - even towards the house! Avoid deviating from this shape for a healthy-looking tree or shrub. It grows wild from Long Island, New York all the way south through the coastal states into Florida, and around much … Growing the Moonglow® Sweetbay Magnolia Size and Appearance. Pruning Sweet Bay Magnolia. Sweetbays also like soils that are acidic and a little on the organic side, they are also tolerant of moist soils. The genus Magnolia consists of about 100 species (plus numerous additional hybrids and cultivars) of … They prefer full sun to light shade and a protected location from harsh winter winds. It is very elegantly shaped and is a good choice for a specimen or patio tree. T HOUGH MAGNOLIAS generally need little pruning, there are two things to keep a particular eye out for: Since almost all magnolias are still sold as grafted plants, Andrew says, be sure to prune out any shoots that may sprout at the base, emerging from the rootstock.. This creates moist conditions in the upper leaves. Soil Requirement: Prefers moist, rich, organic soils, but, unlike most other magnolias, tolerates wet, boggy soils. They need full sun or part shade in medium-moist to wet soil. Plan the shape of the sweetbay magnolia before pruning any branches. Especially since one of the more common names given to the tree is the Swamp magnolia. She is a regular freelancer for "Living Light News," an award-winning national publication. The time after the first bloom is the only time you should do any significant pruning on your magnolia tree. From what I understand, in our climate, without pruning they tend to grow more as a large shrub, rather than a tree. If you were to visit a propagation nursery and could see how hard they cut back evergreen grandiflora magnolias for cuttings you would have the confidence to prune your own. © Copyright 2020 Hearst Communications, Inc. Use pruning shears that are sharpened and well lubricated. Once the tree is older however, it can be pruned to practically any shape one desires, although if the natural pyramidal shape is retained, the tree is more apt to remain a healthy one. To start treating a sick sweetbay magnolia that has leaf spot, stop all overhead irrigation. Pruning large a Sweetbay Magnolia Tree that are well established will enable the plant to have continued vigor, and lead to many more years of supplying beauty to the landscape. The branches that go through the middle section have no leaves except on the end of the branches. Sweetbay magnolias bloom in the summer; prune them after the blooms fade. Trim out all affected foliage to reduce contact with healthy foliage. While we think of this tree as primarily being privately grown, it grows wild in some parts of the country. It becomes semi-evergreen to deciduous when grown in more northern climates. Another multi-stemmed magnolia that will need pruning guidance as a young tree, it’s the exception to the usual pruning time rule for magnolias. The Sweetbay Magnolia is fairly easy to grow. The seeds themselves are about 1/2” in length, and are favored by many birds. With some exceptions, pruning really is not widely considered a must (or even desirable) for this popular flowering tree. Last year, the one in the middle of the yard was gorgeous and twice as tall. Prune sweet bay magnolias when they are done flowering in the summer. Cut away any diseased, broken or dead branches first. The Evergreen Magnoliasincluding Magnolia ‘Little Gem’ , ‘Teddy Bear’ and ‘Kay Parris’ all benefit from pruning at the right time of year. Gardeners are advised to wait until the tree is at least two years old before doing any heavy pruning, as a younger tree may not survive if too many of its stem branches are cut back to the ground. 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