wind

I would like to plant a Magnolia tree in my side yard. I've gotten a lot of information on the tree but I can't find info on wind tolerance. We have fairly consistant wind - very strong at times. I'd appreciate any info anyone has on this. Thanks.

What variety of Magnolia are you thinking of planting? The leaves are pretty thick so I can't see it being a problem.

Hi; Thanks for answering. I 'm considering the 'Jane' Magnolia. They're supposed to be cold hardy and good blooming, but wind tolerance??? Thankis again.

i grew up on the cape within one mile of the beach so you can imagine it gets pretty windy there. we had a beautiful tree, but possible blocked by the house. if you are worried, could you plant a wind screen on the NE part of your property?

Good morning; A wind screen would not "fit" in that area, but the fact that yours survived on the cape is very encouraging. Thanks.

It should survive and bloom just fine, although it may take on an 'interesting' shape because of the wind. For the first season, I'd watch the moisture of the soil carefully and don't feed it. It will not need to suffer for water this year at all till the roots have established themselves, and fertilizer promotes top growth....which you don't need till you get a good root system to support it.

Thank you Melody. I've just received my tax returns,so I'm off to buy a Magnolia tree, and re- up my DG subscription. Have a great day.

Ive Missed something here, Magnolia's can take some wind, it depends on the temp, I live on the West Coast of Scotland, Magnolias grow very well IN LAND, however, mine get shredded by the strong winds right of the water, the leaves burn with the salt blown in with the wind and IF they miss that, the flower buds turn to mush with the cold icey wet winds, so it depends on when, how often and how cold the wind is, I sometime manage to catch the forecast and run outside to throw a fleece cover over it till the wind dies down, even that can be a hazard as some branches can get broken, so good luck, you can always move the magnolia IF it is in the wrong place, they don't have deep roots, ask advice from the grower in your area as Magnolias are not cheap plants, they also like an acid soil so I would put some peat into the planting hole if you can get it, all the best.

WeeNel; Thank you for that information. I live on a hillside, also right on the bay, and the wind rolls right up the hill. We just about never need air conditioning, but it's harsh on the gardens. Do you know of any flowering trees that are wind tolerant? I'm getting too old to go up the hill to cover my trees, and I don't like to share my fleece. :) Thanks again. Have a great day.

If you shelter your magnolia, you shouldn't have any trouble. The wind never bothered mine as it is sheltered by larger trees on the north and northeast sides. However, there was a problem when a huge branch came crashing down from a tree in the neighbor's yard behind us during one of our gales and broke most of the branches off the front of the magnolia. Three full-grown, hefty men could not lift this branch, they had to saw it in pieces, which took two days, then have a thing with a lift drive across my lawn down the side of my house, pick one of the pieces up and transport it to a flat bed truck on the street. I can't find a picture of the tree itself, just the magnolia flowers. It doesn't look too bad once it has leaves in place, it is just in the winter and early spring, until after the flowers drop, which is happening right now, that it looks pretty awful.

BTW (by the way) does anyone have any idea how to stop a black squirrel from snapping off a magnolia flower, nibbling away at the end then dropping the flower onto the ground and going on to the next one? So far there is only one squirrel that does this but if any more develop the habit, the fewer of these beautiful flowers there will be. That would be a shame as they are enjoyed by everyone around here.

Thanks Phil; I really can't shelter the magnolia. It's at the top of a steep hill, on the ESE side of the property. My dh refers to it as the bowling alley. We had to put in a new septic system, and the greedy little town I live in instituted new fees and restrictions, including forcing us to tie into city water (I drink bottled water now.), the contractor had to take down over a dozen trees (well over 60" tall). All in all it cost over $30,000.00. So our landscaping $ is "down the tubes". I would like "rooms" and paths, etc., dh wants tractor room. Oh well, it will play out over the years. In the meantime I am trying to go at it a little at a time. I would like to regain our privacey, but do not want to box ourselves in with evergreens - I want some, but not all. I might try the cherry tree - kwazan. I can't offer any help for your black squirrel. Good luck with that. In my experience, on a 1:1 basis, the squirrel has the upper hand.

Hi Daiseycat, I live in sim situation to yoy, the wind whips up the hill and hits my house, which then sends it back down onto the ground where my plants are, so they get battered in both directions, on saying that, the problems with Magnolias for me is that they are in bud or flower very early in winter/spring when I get most wind damage, I do find that most Rhododendron'd recover well due to the glossy leaves and the flower buds are not nearly as open, it is hard for me to be too much help as our system is far easier, just North, south, east or west, coatal or shelter belt, west where I am, is warmer but wetter, acid soil so for some plants I have to add lots of manure, and what grows for me is the likes of Yucca's, Holly, Buddleia, Erica (Heathers) Hydrangea, Viburnums, Mahonias etc, mainly because the leaf and flowers arrive AFTER the worst of the storms are over, or the leaves are shinny, or tougher, I under plant with Daffs,and other spring bulbs for colour, while I wait for warmer, calmer weather, I just felt that the Magnolia for you and I, flower so early in the year that wind and very cold snaps really do shock them and cause them to drop the leaf or flowers, you will find a lot more plants, trees and shrubs for your conditions so long as you check when they start to come into leaf or flower, it is an adventure but with careful reserch, you soon get to know whats OK, I always used to go to my public parks or as you drive around going to stores etc, look out for what is growing well in your area at different times and seasons, it helps me to plan and saves costly mistakes, others might not agree, but, gardening here in UK is a rather expensive past time and I have over the years made some costly mistakes, so now I do a bit more research before I spend, I have a large garden AND embankment, so plants have to earn their keep for me, we visit USA almost every year and you have such a wonderful vast diversity in temp and landscape, you will find things you like AND suit your conditions, have a look at neighbouring gardens too, do remember, the info on the plants at garden centers are just a general guide, the plants look so good and tempting, they jump out and say buy me, but if you returned some because they are in bits because of wind damage, thats when you find out they were never meant to grow in these conditions, so ask before you buy. Hope this helps a little Daiseycat good luck.
WeeNel.