Magnolia trees can drop lots of litter. If you have your mind solidly set on planting such a tree, than consider also if you are willing to pay the high price for an automatic retractable pool cover needed to prevent filter cloging problems, or if that cost is not in your budget, then consider what it will mean to you, once you find that you end up having less time to enjoy using the pool; due to all the time and energy it takes to keep the Magnolia's debris out of the pool. Flowers drop petals, from most trees and shrubs. Evergreen magnolia's seem to shed dead leaves throughout the growing season, and the really large flowers that some magnolias produce are dropped from these trees after they have turned brown and have begin to appear like a huge ugly glob of mush and or simply large brown clumps of rotting debris. Is this really what you want to see or to have to make a regular practice of cleaning up every two to three days during the times of the year when your pool will be used? Not to mention that most magnolia trees end up spreading their canopy far beyond what can be easily envisioned when first planting them in their 6 or up to 12 foot tall stage.

Jeff ~ I have three 8' M. tripetala, but they are young - only ordered and planted 3 years ago.They are from a northern source and therefore hardy here in Buffalo, NY! No blooms or seed - I will be glad to share seed when I do get them. My source for these trees is Reeseville Ridge Nursery.

I probably should have added the disclaimer that my memory for where stuff is at the Arboretum is probably not the best. There is also a M. tripetala on the Saint Paul campus of the U that is very nice. I got some seeds of it last year and got some germination. Two of the seedlings disappeared from the yard though. The plant has a good number of 'cones' this year. 'Butterflies' is a beautiful plant. Mine is loaded for buds for next year along with red 'cones' from this years blooms.

Will have better luck posting on trading plants/seed forum!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!