How to take care of my special trees - Ask Extension
So some people are addicted to booze or pot I am addicted to trees... I probably should not have bought these because I'm not sure I have room but I'm...
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How to take care of my special trees #866549
Asked April 30, 2024, 9:09 PM EDT
So some people are addicted to booze or pot I am addicted to trees... I probably should not have bought these because I'm not sure I have room but I'm hoping you can help me.
This morning I purchased an Alexandri Magnolia. Is this the kind of Magnolia you have at the arboretum? I feel like I've seen it there and I'm wondering an hour climate just how big it actually gets? Am I correct in assuming it doesn't get as big as it would if you grew it down South? I live in Long Lake so I'm just on the border of zone 5 or 4B. I have heard that in our climate it should be planted in a more shady location versus full Sun So it doesn't Bloom too early. Would you agree with that?
I also purchased in Eastern Redwood because as I said I can't really resist.... Does that turn into a massive tree as well in our climate or can you count on it staying pretty small? I just want to make sure I get them in the best spot. Thank you!
Hennepin County Minnesota
Expert Response
The magnolia may have some die-back during the winter, or cold temps can kill any flower buds above the snow line. They can grow to 20-25 feet, but often grown as tall shrubs. The tree is hardy to zone 5, but that means the roots are that hardy. Flowers and branches can die at warmer temps, so there can be die-back above the snow line.
Although planting in the shade will reduce the amount of bud drop caused by the tree blooming during a warm snap (and then the buds killed off when it gets cold), most sources say that magnolias need full sun. They may not flower well or could struggle in general without a lot of sun. If you have a protected area or a warm micro-climate, that may be a good place to plant.
I am not sure which magnolias the Arboretum has. We are a separate part of the University system.
As far as the eastern redwood, I assume you are referring to Cercis canadensis, also known as eastern redbud. They usually grow to about 30'. Trees normally called redwoods, such as Coast Redwood (Sequoia sempervirens) and Giant Sequoia (Sequoiadendron giganteum) are not hardy here.
Dawn Redwood (Metasequoia glyptostroboides) is marginally hardy. There are different cultivars, but most grow 50 to 60 feet here if they survive.
It can be fun to try new plants. When something I plant doesn't make it, i console myself by saying I have the opportunity to try something else in that spot.
Good luck with your new purchases.
Although planting in the shade will reduce the amount of bud drop caused by the tree blooming during a warm snap (and then the buds killed off when it gets cold), most sources say that magnolias need full sun. They may not flower well or could struggle in general without a lot of sun. If you have a protected area or a warm micro-climate, that may be a good place to plant.
I am not sure which magnolias the Arboretum has. We are a separate part of the University system.
As far as the eastern redwood, I assume you are referring to Cercis canadensis, also known as eastern redbud. They usually grow to about 30'. Trees normally called redwoods, such as Coast Redwood (Sequoia sempervirens) and Giant Sequoia (Sequoiadendron giganteum) are not hardy here.
Dawn Redwood (Metasequoia glyptostroboides) is marginally hardy. There are different cultivars, but most grow 50 to 60 feet here if they survive.
It can be fun to try new plants. When something I plant doesn't make it, i console myself by saying I have the opportunity to try something else in that spot.
Good luck with your new purchases.
Thanks for the advice. You are right regarding the eastern red buds. Do you think the Red bud or magnolia would work best in a garden bed with plantings of iris and tulips underneath and some other stuff underneath?
They would both be nice, but it may be difficult to eventually get iris and tulips to bloom as they need full sun. As the trees get bigger, they may shade the ground too much for full sun plants. That is why so many people plant shade plants like astilbe or hostas below trees.
Whatever you plant, don't pile dirt over the tree roots to make space for more plants. You can plant between the roots, but not on top of them. If you plant a young tree and then plant around the tree, that should be fine. Some people add several inches of dirt over mature tree roots so they can plant perennials. That can suffocate the tree as trees depend on their roots to take up needed oxygen.
You may need to water more often as the tree and perennials will be competing for water.
Whatever you plant, don't pile dirt over the tree roots to make space for more plants. You can plant between the roots, but not on top of them. If you plant a young tree and then plant around the tree, that should be fine. Some people add several inches of dirt over mature tree roots so they can plant perennials. That can suffocate the tree as trees depend on their roots to take up needed oxygen.
You may need to water more often as the tree and perennials will be competing for water.
