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Master Gardeners Garden Clinic garden

Dying Magnolia, can I save it?

6 years ago

We re landscaped our front yard about 2.5 years ago and I think we have killed our magnolia tree. It has lost most of its leaves and branches seem to be dying. But it does have some new growth along the main branches. Can it be saved? and how?

Featured Answer

Embothrium

6 years ago

Other parts of the country have also been having some adverse weather in later years, that perhaps might also produce similar effects on such a tree. Including cold damage. But in California particularly the recent dryness was bad enough to end up being called a "100 year drought".

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Comments (12)

sunnydrew
6 years ago
Hire a professional arborist to come look at it.
Page Drucker thanked sunnydrew
gardengal48 (PNW Z8/9)
6 years ago
I'm sorry but it looks like it is on its way out. Once an evergreen magnolia has lost that much foliage, it is not a good sign.

What did you do landscape-wise that might have affected it?
Page Drucker thanked gardengal48 (PNW Z8/9)
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Embothrium
6 years ago
Is this a California location? Perhaps it is drought damage.
Page Drucker thanked Embothrium
gardengal48 (PNW Z8/9)
6 years ago
^^ Good point!! That could certainly cause that reaction.
Page Drucker
Original Author
6 years ago
We are in California and we have been effected by the drought. But I think it was the landscaping that did it, as other magnolias in our neighborhood seem to be holding up. We replaced the old dying grass with plantings, a cement walkway and deck. the walkway and deck were not under the canopy, but the tree may have had roots out where they were added.

I am especially sad since we talked to the landscaper and a certified arborist before the construction because we love the tree and did not want to hurt it. They both assured us it would be fine. We have since had the arborist out and he thinned it 12 months after the landscaping finished (probably a mistake) and reccommended that we feritlize.
gardengal48 (PNW Z8/9)
6 years ago
It may very well be that some roots were disturbed during your landscaping revisions that impacted the tree. But more important, how was it watered during that very long dry spell? It would have appreciated some long, deep waterings......much more so than any fertilizer.
Page Drucker thanked gardengal48 (PNW Z8/9)
Embothrium
6 years ago
last modified: 6 years ago
probably a mistake

Cutting out of any dead branches could have improved appearance, reduction of the total volume of live branches and leaves present would not have helped the tree.
Page Drucker thanked Embothrium
Page Drucker
Original Author
6 years ago
I have been using a deep watering stake to water bi weekly over the summer dry period.
Mary Mcculley
5 years ago
I am having a similar issue. ! I have had it checked twice by the state ags and had an arborist . etc etc. They all say Oh its fine- it was the cold snap. The bark is covered with mold now- Its a 60' tree and the reason I bought this old home.

I had professional deep fertilization - did yours get better? help!
Bernadette Keyser
3 years ago
This exact thing is happening to my magnolia ... what ended up happening in the end?
Tracy_Hopcus Jordan
2 years ago
Wow I thought this was my tree! Same issue here and yard upgrades caused it! Did the OP ever say whether happened?

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