Most of the early spring flowers like most rhododendrons, magnolias, dogwoods, etc. set their flower buds during the previous growing season and so you can see them in the fall and over winter. Flowers that bloom later in the growing season form their flower buds on new growth rather than the previous season's growth. Woody plants form leaf buds in the previous season (though they form on new growth as well) so you can see the buds all winter on most woody plants. In your photo, the large center bud is probably a flower bud, while the smaller buds on either side and along the side of the twigs are leaf buds, since magnolias are one of several types of plants that tend to have large flower buds. I love the silvery sheen of those large magnolia buds when there is little evidence that life will be remerging eventually.

It has a full exposure and flowers on its outer branches only- I am not really concerned about its flowering- its the shape of it that I am most concerned about. I think it was ill chosen for the size of space (I can't take responsibility as it was there when I moved in 14 months ago). There is a cherry tree about 25 feet away that did wonderfully and is beautiful in shape and size.

"Why is it important that passers by see the house?" It's only important in that most people like the looks of their house fronts and wish to display them. Most people in the US don't wish to to have large plants dominate the usable ground space of their often not too large yards. Pruning tree tops down vs. removing lower limbs produce some quite different results, and not too much "water sprouts" for the latter. And if some unwanted ones come, no big deal. Cut them off. "Ground level forking is visible in photo, suggesting a treelike habit is not present." Forking of the trunks at the ground indicate that the tree is ready and willing to become a multi-trunk tree. It's probably already there and will become evident just as soon as the branches hiding the tree lower portion are removed, exposing its multi-trunk structure. In all the areas I've lived in, most of the deciduous Magnolias are grown in the multi-trunk tree form so that a view below and beyond the tree is maintained and so the ground space of the yard is not overwhelmed by massive amounts of foliage.

i am curious how much the 4 stage treatment cost .. would you mind telling us ... if the problem is solved ... and it should be solved .. and the tree ought to recover ... period ... you shouldnt be thinking that it will recur.. if it was a completed job ... so there is some logic in waiting and seeing.. what happens this year... and suggesting to the service that provided such.. that they most likely promised to solve the issue ... on the other hand... i can see the logic in being done with it.. since every time you see it.. your blood pressure probably spikes ... lol.. mine would ... i would give it.. in tree time.. at least this year.. to see the result of the money you paid .... and then go from there.. in other words.. i would be watching in tree time .. not instant gratification time .. anyway ... im at a loss how to suggest a tree for a spot in your garden.. without seeing the spot in your garden.. and its relation to the house.. etc .. how about some pix .. and we could confirm the ID with a pic of the plant and its leaves or flowers ... but i sure hope your service provider actually knew the plant ... ken btw: clay is not a tree choice issue.. its a planting issue which i easily dealt with .. EVERY ball and burlap plant you see in a nursery ... was grown in clay.. else there would not be a ball in the burlap ... you sure cant do that with soil that falls apart ... and the stuff that doesnt fall apart.. is clay ....