Magnolia looking bad - Ask Extension
We have a nice magnolia that was planted about 3 years ago. It had a healthy bloom in May but it looks pretty sad now. After the bloom we noticed a st...
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Magnolia looking bad #878004
Asked July 20, 2024, 10:45 AM EDT
We have a nice magnolia that was planted about 3 years ago. It had a healthy bloom in May but it looks pretty sad now. After the bloom we noticed a sticky residue on the leaves that attracted bees, then the leaves started spotting and turning brown (pictures attached). We use a fertilizer spike for deciduous plants (one in the ground at the drip edge of the plant) in spring and fall. Should we be concerned?
Franklin County Ohio
Expert Response
Hi Dana,
Thank you for the pictures. However, their focus and closeness are not good enough to fully assess the problem. However, it appears the problem may be magnolia scale. See the linked OSU Extension factsheet: https://bygl.osu.edu/node/1316. Sticky honeydew is symptomatic of the scale, as is black sooty mold. The pictures are not clear enough to identify the white blotches along some of the branches. As shown on the factsheet, the scales should be visible, especially with the extent of damage shown. Unfortunately, the picture is not clear and close enough.
A less likely prospect is aphids. https://extension.umd.edu/resource/aphids-trees-and-shrubs/ They also should be visible, particularly on the undersides of leaves.
Before recommending action, please look at the tree closely to see whether you can identify the problem using the information in the factsheets above. After you examine the tree, you may send me your findings if more help is needed.
Thank you for your question.
Thank you for the pictures. However, their focus and closeness are not good enough to fully assess the problem. However, it appears the problem may be magnolia scale. See the linked OSU Extension factsheet: https://bygl.osu.edu/node/1316. Sticky honeydew is symptomatic of the scale, as is black sooty mold. The pictures are not clear enough to identify the white blotches along some of the branches. As shown on the factsheet, the scales should be visible, especially with the extent of damage shown. Unfortunately, the picture is not clear and close enough.
A less likely prospect is aphids. https://extension.umd.edu/resource/aphids-trees-and-shrubs/ They also should be visible, particularly on the undersides of leaves.
Before recommending action, please look at the tree closely to see whether you can identify the problem using the information in the factsheets above. After you examine the tree, you may send me your findings if more help is needed.
Thank you for your question.
