Fact Sheet ST-384October 1994

Magnolia virginiana

Figure 1. Middle-aged Sweetbay Magnolia.

Sweetbay Magnolia 1

Edward F. Gilman and Dennis G. Watson2

INTRODUCTION

Sweetbay Magnolia is a graceful southern,evergreen to semi-evergreen, wide columnar tree, idealfor use as a patio tree or specimen (Fig. 1). It cangrow to a mature height of 40 feet in the north or to60 feet in the south. Trees glimmer in the wind due tothe whitish-green undersides of the leaves. They arevery noticeable as you drive by them on interstatesalong water-logged woodlands. The tree providesexcellent vertical definition in a shrub border or as afree standing specimen and flourishes in moist, acidsoil such as the swamps in the eastern U.S. and alongstream banks. The creamy-white, lemon-scentedflowers appear from June through September, and arefollowed by small red seeds which are used by avariety of wildlife. It can be trained into a multi-trunked, spreading specimen plant, or left with thecentral leader intact as a wide column.

GENERAL INFORMATION

Scientific name: Magnolia virginianaPronunciation: mag-NO-lee-uh ver-jin-ee-AY-nuhCommon name(s): Sweetbay Magnolia, SwampMagnoliaFamily: MagnoliaceaeUSDA hardiness zones: 5 through 10A (Fig. 2)Origin: native to North AmericaUses: espalier; wide tree lawns (>6 feet wide);medium-sized tree lawns (4-6 feet wide);recommended for buffer strips around parking lots orfor median strip plantings in the highway; near a deckor patio; specimen; residential street tree; no provenurban tolerance

Availability: generally available in many areas withinits hardiness range

1. This document is adapted from Fact Sheet ST-384, a series of the Environmental Horticulture Department, Florida Cooperative Extension Service,Institute of Food and Agricultural Sciences, University of Florida. Publication date: October 1994.

2. Edward F. Gilman, associate professor, Environmental Horticulture Department; Dennis G. Watson, associate professor, Agricultural EngineeringDepartment, Cooperative Extension Service, Institute of Food and Agricultural Sciences, University of Florida, Gainesville FL 32611.

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DESCRIPTION

Figure 2. Shaded area represents potential planting range.

Height: 40 to 50 feetSpread: 15 to 25 feetCrown uniformity: symmetrical canopy with aregular (or smooth) outline, and individuals have moreor less identical crown formsCrown shape: columnar; vase shapeCrown density: moderateGrowth rate: mediumTexture: medium

Foliage

Leaf arrangement: alternateLeaf type: simpleLeaf margin: entireLeaf shape: elliptic (oval); oblongLeaf venation: banchidodrome; pinnateLeaf type and persistence: deciduous; evergreen;semievergreenLeaf blade length: 2 to 4 inches; less than 2 inchesLeaf color: greenFall color: no fall color changeFall characteristic: not showy

Flower

Flower color: whiteFlower characteristics: pleasant fragrance; summerflowering; very showy (Fig. 3)

Fruit

Fruit shape: elongatedFruit length: 1 to 3 inchesFruit covering: dry or hardFruit color: green; redFruit characteristics: attracts birds; attracts squirrelsand other mammals; no significant litter problem;showy

Trunk and Branches

Trunk/bark/branches: bark is thin and easilydamaged from mechanical impact; routinely grownwith, or trainable to be grown with, multiple trunks;grow mostly upright and will not droop; showy trunk;tree wants to grow with several trunks but can betrained to grow with a single trunk; no thornsPruning requirement: needs little pruning to developa strong structure

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Breakage: resistant

Figure 3. Flower of Sweetbay Magnolia.

Current year twig color: greenCurrent year twig thickness: thin

Culture

Light requirement: tree grows in part shade/part sun;tree grows in full sunSoil tolerances: clay; loam; sand; acidic; extendedflooding; well-drainedDrought tolerance: No entries found.Aerosol salt tolerance: lowSoil salt tolerance: poor

Other

Roots: surface roots are usually not a problemWinter interest: no special winter interestOutstanding tree: tree has outstanding ornamentalfeatures and could be planted moreInvasive potential: little, if any, potential at this timeOzone sensitivity: tolerantVerticillium wilt susceptibility: susceptiblePest resistance: long-term health usually notaffected by pests

USE AND MANAGEMENT

Sweetbay Magnolia makes an excellent tree forplanting next to buildings, in narrow alleys orcorridors, or in other urban areas with limited spacefor horizontal crown expansion. It has not beenplanted extensively in downtown urban areas, but itsflood and drought tolerance and narrow crowncombine to make it a good candidate. It usuallymaintains a good, straight central leader, althoughoccasionally the trunk branches low to the groundforming a round multi-stemmed, spreading tree. Itshould be grown and planted more often.

Sweetbay Magnolia roots easily from softwoodcuttings, grows freely near coastal areas, and ishappiest in southern climates. It is thriving in theAuburn Shade Tree Evaluation trials in Alabamawithout irrigation. However, in the confined soilspaces typical of some urban areas, occasionalirrigation is recommended.

The species is deciduous in USDA hardiness zones7 and 8 (evergreen farther south) but the varietyaustralisand cultivar ‘Henry Hicks’ are evergreen;‘Havener’ has larger flower petals.

Pests and Diseases

Scales sometimes infest foliage and twigs,particularly on dry sites where the tree is under stress.

Tulip-Poplar weevil (sassafras weevil) feeds as aleaf miner when young and chews holes in the leavesas an adult.

Leaf spots occasionally occur on the foliage butare of little concern.