wild magnolias (growing, trees, backyard, spring) - Garden -Trees, Grass, Lawn, Flowers, Irrigation, Landscaping... - City-Data Forum

citydweller · 03-13-2009, 06:45 AM

I have some magnolias growing on a wooded lot I own in NC. I have never seen a bloom on them and was wondering if anyone is familiar with them. They look like a regular magnolia except they have bright green leaves versus darker ones found on the southern magnolias. Thanks again.

southernnaturelover · 03-13-2009, 08:33 AM

Maybe Sweetbay magnolia? Are they evergreen, or do they lose their leaves in the winter?

citydweller · 03-13-2009, 08:36 AM

They are evergreen.

southernnaturelover · 03-13-2009, 08:43 AM

Check to see if the undersides of the leaves look silvery, if they do it's Sweetbay.

citydweller · 03-13-2009, 09:07 AM

ok will check. thanks.

citydweller · 06-07-2009, 09:46 PM

Just now responding but i checked the underside of the leaves and they are green like the front side of the leaf. One of the trees is over 12 feet or so. Anyone know if it they bloom in the wild?

paperhouse · 06-07-2009, 11:15 PM

They can. There are several growing in my backyard. It looks to me that one was planted and the rest are offspring. Which means, that they had to bloom at some point. Mine are late this year. The buds are just starting to form. Meanwhile, those down the street in full sun have been blooming since late May.

JQ Public · 06-08-2009, 12:22 AM

If it is southern magnolia they don't bloom because they grew from seed. Most of the varieties you get in the garden centers are grown from cuttings that come off of established plants. Many of those can bloom at only a few feet tall. The ones that grow in the woods are again from seed and those take 15-20 years to mature to fruiting age. This is much like an oak tree that is grown from an acorn. Most oaks will not produce acorns for possibly 20 years or so.