Knowledgebase
Magnolia tree leaves dying #876454
Asked July 09, 2024, 8:34 AM EDT
Windham County Vermont
Expert Response
Hi Connie,
Thank you for reaching out to the Extension Master Gardener Helpline with your question. The solution you are spraying will not be effective. This sounds like you are seeing magnolia scale and sooty mold from the pest.
Our plant pathologist has confirmed you will treat it in the fall with horticulture oil. The below article discusses this in greater detail:
https://www.canr.msu.edu/news/check_magnolias_for_magnolia_scale_now
I've included some additional extension articles below that provide more information on Magnolia Scale:
https://ag.umass.edu/landscape/fact-sheets/magnolia-scale
https://hort.extension.wisc.edu/articles/magnolia-scale/
https://extension.psu.edu/differentiating-magnolia-scale-from-tuliptree-scale
Thank you,