Magnolia help - Ask Extension
I have a magnolia tree that is not looking so good. With a little investigating we’re wondering if it could be low iron. And is it too late in the...
Knowledgebase
Magnolia help #913921
Asked August 13, 2025, 3:52 PM EDT
I have a magnolia tree that is not looking so good. With a little investigating we’re wondering if it could be low iron. And is it too late in the season to add a nutrient? Do we just do a soil test or do need to do more testing?
Nicollet County Minnesota
Expert Response
It has been a rough year for magnolias. They are not drought tolerant and we had 2 months of drought early in the summer. They do not like high temperatures and it has been a hot summer.
https://trees.umn.edu/magnolia-magnolia-spp
Magnolias need iron when the leaves are chlorotic. Yellowing and bight green veins are indicative of a pH problem. Generally, fall fertilization is not recommended because the tree should be moving into dormancy. Giving your tree an inch of water per week should help come through the winter well.
https://trees.umn.edu/magnolia-magnolia-spp
Magnolias need iron when the leaves are chlorotic. Yellowing and bight green veins are indicative of a pH problem. Generally, fall fertilization is not recommended because the tree should be moving into dormancy. Giving your tree an inch of water per week should help come through the winter well.
