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Help! Magnolia Grandiflora trees very sick

BluebellsQBluebellsQ Posts: 15
edited May 2022 in Problem solving
Dear All, I am new to the forum and would greatly appreciate some advice! 

I planted 2x 15 foot high young magnolia grandiflora last November, they were glossy and very beautiful. A family friend planted them (not my choice of person to do so, but my father insisted!). Rather than putting 2 stakes either side of each tree and tying the
tree to a cross bar, instead the gentleman put 3 stakes around each trees, rather close to the trunk. This has been pointed out as an error by several people.

I suspect these stakes were placed too close to the root balls and the root balls may have sustained some damage from the stakes.

Both magnolia now look like feeble sticks and have recently lost a MASSIVE amount of leaves, and I cannot see any green shoots coming though as I surely ought to be able to in May. (Please see pics from planting last November, and today, only 7 months on, very few leaves left).

A neighbour of ours who is a horticulturist says he believes the trees are severely stressed due to damage to their root balls from the stakes placed too close to the trees. He also believes they may well fully recover. His advice was to just water heavily twice a week and do nothing more.

Could anyone give me their thoughts please? Are the trees likely to fully recover, and if so, any idea how long they would take to do so? Is it best to give up and replace them now? (not my preference as
they were very expensive and an investment, but it is breaking my heart to see them looking like this just 7 months after planting).

Secondly, if the trees aren't resigned to a life of being sick and possibly dying, what do you think I can do to help them?


Thank you in advance for any help you can give!


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Posts

  • bertrand-mabelbertrand-mabel Posts: 2,697
    We have one that is doing very well but it is huge but in the right place in our garden. You have 2 in the front. Don't think that is good for the plants or you.
  • BluebellsQBluebellsQ Posts: 15
    Hello, thank you for your thoughts. We had the horticultural company who sold us the trees inspect the property and confirm this was a good site for them back in November, so not sure that position is the problem here?
  • punkdocpunkdoc Posts: 15,039
    Trees that size would need a huge amount of water to keep them happy, how much have you given them since planting?
    How can you lie there and think of England
    When you don't even know who's in the team

    S.Yorkshire/Derbyshire border
  • Lizzie27Lizzie27 Posts: 12,494
    They can get very big trees so the one nearest your neighbour's drive could prove to be a problem. What is the distance between them?

    I think your neighbour is right, just water them well 2 or 3 watering cans full at least twice a week even if it's been raining. We've had a very dry spring and they are probably suffering from drought. Your trees were quite tall when first planted, smaller ones usually establish quicker.

    It might well take a couple of months before hopefully you see any improvement but I don't think there's anything else you can do at the moment. Do not feed them as this will stress them more.
    North East Somerset - Clay soil over limestone
  • steephillsteephill Posts: 2,841
    There are two problems. First, the trees were too big. I expect that they were very expensive too. Big trees are more difficult to establish when re-planting, smaller trees do much better and are much cheaper. Second, there is only room for one tree there and planting two so close together will only cause problems later.
  • punkdocpunkdoc Posts: 15,039
    Yes, not sure the seller would necessarily be the best person to give advice.
    How can you lie there and think of England
    When you don't even know who's in the team

    S.Yorkshire/Derbyshire border
  • BluebellsQBluebellsQ Posts: 15
    Thank you Punkdoc! Possibly not enough water given in hindsight- it’s been pretty wet but since our neighbour commented a month ago we have really drenched the trees twice a week. It would be nice if if was just water stress and we could help them recover...will keep you updated!

    Lizzie27, thank you for your wisdom! I actually bought some expensive RHS approved feed and fed them about 3 times before our neighbour told me not to just as you have and I stopped right away! 

    Steephill (hello and many thanks for your input!) and Lizzie27, re the distance apart of the trees - we took advice on this from Folium Flos who we purchased the trees from- they are 1.5m apart and we were advised this was sufficient. So hopefully the trees will coexist ok if they get through this! 

    (The same genius family friend- who works in gardening!- initially planted them 80cm apart. I went bonkers and immediately had them moved apart. The moral of that part of the story is use someone who is properly qualified or at least truly knowledgeable with your beloved plants! I wish I had risked a family row and just paid a professional to do it now tbh :D ). 
  • BluebellsQBluebellsQ Posts: 15
    punkdoc said:
    Yes, not sure the seller would necessarily be the best person to give advice.
    I did also do a bit of research- the same figure of 1.5m separation for Magnolia Grandiflora kept appearing...
  • steephillsteephill Posts: 2,841
    The ultimate spread of magnolia grandifolia is 8 metres! They are far too close together.
  • Lizzie27Lizzie27 Posts: 12,494
    Just what I was going to say as well. 1.5 metres apart is just bonkers.

    Up to you but personally I would take one out and if you've room, plant it elsewhere.
    North East Somerset - Clay soil over limestone
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