Magnolia in Distress

20 years ago

Over the last several years we have had some drought and what was a healthy magnolia has suffered. This year it did not leaf or flower at all. I threw some compost around the base and am watering it every day. Suddenly it has started to push green buds through the bark of the trunk and some branches to a height of about 4 feet. My question is: Do you think I can save it? and

Should I wait until this season has finished to see how far up the buds go before cutting back what appear to be all the dead branches. The tree is about 15-20 feet tall.

Sort by:Oldest

Comment (1)

lazy_gardens
20 years ago
"I threw some compost around the base" STOP! That's asking for fungal infection in the trunk. Mulch the entire root area (out a couple of feet past the branch area) with 4-5 inches of compost or something, but keep the mulch 4-6 inches away from the base of the tree.

"and am watering it every day." STOP! Water it DEEPLY once a week. Frequent shallow watering lures the roots up into the top layer of soil and makes the tree more suceptible to drought and a brief lapse in watering. Deep watering gets the roots down into the lower layers where they can stay moist.

"Should I wait until this season has finished to see how far up the buds go before cutting back what appear to be all the dead branches." Yes. It may surprise you.
Related Professionals
Erie Landscape Architects & Landscape Designers · Fillmore Landscape Architects & Landscape Designers · Rancho Palos Verdes Landscape Architects & Landscape Designers · Suffern Landscape Architects & Landscape Designers · Brookside Landscape Contractors · Broomfield Landscape Contractors · Olympia Landscape Contractors · West Palm Beach Landscape Contractors · Linden Siding & Exteriors · Pooler General Contractors · Brighton General Contractors · Grand Junction General Contractors · Lakeside General Contractors · Linton Hall General Contractors · Peoria General Contractors