Some sort of Magnolia??

Hello all!

I've been browsing this site for awhile now; am trying to learn how to better take care of the plants in my yard.

One in particular has me stumped. Anyone know if the image I posted is a Magnolia?... if not, anyone know what it is? It has no leaves, if that helps at all.

I moved into my house 4 years ago in late May & this plant (tree?) was blooming at the time. It was very pretty and of course I couldn't wait for it to bloom again. Unfortunately, it attracted more than my attention & deer got to it. After that it appeared dead, but I left it in the hope it would come back.
Well, the picture here was taken yesterday & yes, it finally came back! Though, only about half of it is blooming and struggling at that. I had to spray it since the deer tried to feast again.

I was hoping to ID it so that I can find out how big it's supposed to get, how to prune it, etc.

Thanks in advance! =)

This message was edited Apr 22, 2008 4:26 PM

It certainly looks like a magnolia blossom. As to what kind, I don't know. When I lived in New York there were trees that we called magnolias, but the same thing is called a "tulip tree" down here in Savannah. The "tulip trees" bloom before they leaf out, that may be what you have. The magnolia grandiflorum is evergreen here, so there are always leaves. I wish I could be more help, but perhaps someone else with MUCH more knowledge will be able to definitively identify it for you. It's a pretty thing, isn't it?

It is deffinately a Magnolia, I would need to go get my book out to try find the proper name/type, the dear also go mad for mine at the flowering stage, after flowering, the leaves appear and the deer dont seem to bother so much, maybe because by then there are plenty other juicey green things to eat.
without knowing the type of Magnolia I cant tell you how large it will reach, they are not too fast growing, but DONT prune it at all unless it is to nip off any ragged edges on a branch that the deer have nibbled at, if you prune these shrubs/trees, you wont get flowers at all as they start to form next years tiny buds on the growth wood made this year.
To give it a chance to grow larger and the deer not doing the pruning for you, I have to sometimes resort to making a chicken wire cage around the shrubs for a few years till they grow larger and this helps keep the deer off them, use a few Strong stakes and either tie the wire to them or nail them, it does work as I can vouch for it, some people hang human hair onto the branches as it is said the deer dont like this, but you have to change it often, I have deer too and caging my plants is the best way so far, they can be removed once the shrubs are big enough to take the odd nibble or feast in some cases.
Try looking under the type Magnolia Saliciflia, if it is this one, it is one of the faster growing plants and at full maturity, say 20 years, can reach up to 20 feet, but not if the deer are shortening the branches eh.
Good luck. WeeNel.

I suggest your consideration of Star Magnolia

http://davesgarden.com/guides/pf/go/117565/

There are so many Magnolias that look like your image. It would help to see the outside of the petals to see the colour. Over the past month I've taken dozens of images of Magnolias but honestly it's not easy to tell them apart.

Magnolia sprengeri var. diva

Thank you all so much for your replies. I did some searching in the plant files and also thought mine looked similar to the "tulip tree" variety.

So far, since I sprayed, the deer have left it alone but yes, I may have to try the cage advice. I never heard the human hair thing! I think I'll stay away from that one... don't have much to spare these days. hehe

I've seen quite a few of your images growin. Very nice! After looking again, mine also looks like it could be the 'Burncoose' variety? It is very hard to tell.

Again, thanks for the advice... much appreciated!

Here's perhaps a better pic I took yesterday.

Hi Shannon,

Your second picture is great. My suggestion is post this picture in the ID forum: http://davesgarden.com/community/forums/f/plantid/all/ and see if we can get some Magnolia experts to come up with an ID. Sure looks like a nice Magnolia!

Will do. Thanks again growin. =)

you can contact the magnolia society.i sent a leaf with seed pod attached and they id it for me.might be able to send your pictures