My brother Jeff once referred to the magnolias in his back yard in Dothan, Alabama as “mosquito magnets”. He explained that there was always leaf litter around the trees and when the leaves lay drying on the ground they curl and hold water when it rains. He said mosquitoes like to lay eggs in this water, causing problems. He was right, but there is also much to like about this tree.
A southeastern United States native, the Southern magnolia, Magnolia grandiflora, is the most common and well known variety of magnolia in the area. Its shape is oval with a pyramidal crown. It can grow to 90 or more feet in height, and 30 to 50 
feet in diameter. The record tree is in Smith County, Mississippi measuring 121 feet. Magnolia’s showy flowers are saucer-shaped, may measure 10 inches across, and they bloom at the end of branches. They are pleasantly fragrant and pleasant, as evidenced by the fact that Louisiana designated the magnolia as its state flower, and Mississippi designated the magnolia as its state flower and tree.
The Southern magnolia is an evergreen broad leaf tree, and not deciduous. It drops leaves through the year as new ones form. New, tender leaves unfurl from what appears to be long, white buds, with leaf undersides appearing white with fuzzy texture. T
hese leaves become thick, oval, 5 to 10 inches long, and glossy dark green on top and cinnamon with hairy texture underneath. Leaves are arranged alternately on branches. The bark of the tree is brown to gray, and smooth and thin when young. It becomes scaly when aged. Magnolia roots are shallow, largely unbranched, and they extend like ropes up to three times the reach of the limbs. The creamy colored wood is referred to as soft hardwood, less dense than most hardwoods, and is most used in making pallets, furniture and crafts.
According to biologists, magnolia tree fossils have been found dating back to the tertiary period 100 million years ago- even 
before bees. Magnolia’s flower type is very primitive, and has never evolved to produce nectar. The flower’s sweet smell draws beetles, bees and other insects to the pollen which is produced in large quantities. This pollen is an important source of protein for these insects. To resist insect damage the flowers have thick, tough leaves and flower tepals (petals and sepals fused). Flowers have 2 or more whorls of 3 to 6 tepals, and both male and female parts 
are present. Flowers are white and turn cream colored and brown as they fade. The fruit is a 4 to 6 inch long cone-like structure with spirally arranged seeds. The seeds are enclosed in the fruit during development but as the fruit matures, areas of the fruit split apart exposing the seeds. The seeds are surrounded by a red fleshy covering that is high in fat, and this is an important source of energy for migrating birds.
Magnolia trees generally live about 80 years, but some live to 120 years. They grow one to two feet a year, and get very big. Magnolia trees may have more than one trunk, but those with 
one trunk look best. If pruning, trim back all but the central leader and do this when the tree is young and after flowering season. Trees may be grown so that limbs hang to the ground concealing the fallen leaves and seed pods underneath. However, the leaves are thick and leathery and they decompose slowly. As litter builds up it becomes a host for unwanted insects such as mosquitoes and roaches. Pruning the lower branches so that the tree can be mowed under and kept clean of debris is good, but a downside is that leaves fall year round and require continual attention. Also, heavy pruning can damage older trees so this should be done only on younger trees and after flowering.
Magnolia trees can be trained to grow against a wall by trimming off those branches growing toward the wall, and trimming back the outward growing branches to one or two leaves. This is called making an espalier. Again, trimming should be done after flowering season.
Magnolia trees are a natural for southern landscapes. The tree is impressive with its fragrant, saucer-shaped, showy flowers and glossy green/hairy brown leaves. As dogwoods bring to mind spring, magnolias bring to mind the South. Despite some drawbacks, the Magnolia is a southern favorite.
