We planted a Magnolia tree in July. I think it was a 30 gallon tree and it stands about 10-12 feet tall (a pic of the size of the tree is below for a visual). I watered it frequently at first, and now water it really good about once a week. I have two problems with it......

1. The leaves have developed holes in them as if something is eating holes in them. I'm not sure what it could be or what causes it, but some of the leaves look bad and I'm concerned that it could be taking over the tree and I'll lose it. See the pics below for visual.

2. My dog has chewed some of the lower limbs off. Is it too early to prune the tree to clean it up and get the rest of the lower limbs out of the dogs reach?

Full Tree Pic:


Pics of a couple of leaves:









[This message has been edited by madams (edited 10/20/2010 2:16p).]

It's ok to prune the tree & I wouldn't worry too much about the insect damage. Your dog is hurting the tree more than the bugs.

TTT

NEVER PRUNE A MAGNOLIA TREE.

It will take years to develop the limbs back. As far as what's eating your tree, I wouldn't worry about it.

If it really bothers you, use thuricide (organic pesticide that kills worms).

Keep your dog away from the tree, and next time plant it in a corner of a house or yard.

Thanks. The idea of pruning the tree limbs would be to remove to lower limbs and not touch anything in the middle or top of the tree. I would actually prefer some of the lower limbs gone for good so the dog will lose interest in eating them. As long as pruning doesn't stress the tree to a point that it will die I'd be fine with trimming the lower limbs.

Jonatron - Just curious.....why do you say plant the tree in a corner of the yard? It is actually near the corner, in the pic of the whole tree I am standing in the corner by the fence.

I would kill it for the sake of whoever owns your house in 30 years.

quote:

---

I would kill it for the sake of whoever owns your house in 30 years.

---

hate to say it, but I agree.

the magnolia doesn't aesthetically belong in that area of your yard. that particular tree is a great tree to put near a house or in the corner of a yard that has landscaping around it. it looks more professionally done like that. if you want a tree in that area of your yard, I would use a large shade producing tree.

but it's your yard. do what you want

and you might want to fertilize your grass

sorry to take this thread in a different direction, but i would like some of y'alls opinion about magnolia trees. i live in belton, and there aren't many (if any here). I grew up in east texas and am used to seeing them and i don't hate them, but i don't particularly like them either.

anyway, the house we bought has a fairly newly planted one in the backyard. I don't like it and would never have planted it (this lot has a ton of old oaks, ash and maples). It stands out.

I just wonder what the problem some of you have with magnolia's are? I would just cut it down, but my love for trees makes it hard to do. that and i try to keep up some memory of the previous owner who unfortunately died unexpectedly... he obviously planted it.

maybe you can convince me that they are bad enough to get rid of.

(i think it is too big to move)

dirty, dirty trees. they drop leaves and big knobby magnolia cones (like pinecones) in the yard. I have one and am sick and tired of the mess. The flowers are beautiful and smell good, but not worth the mess.

Leave them for places with lawn maintenance.