Southern Magnolia Tree Facts

Those long limbs demand you look at them, startled. That whiff of magical fragrance, and what a feeling it is to behold. You said you want to see each and every shade of white, didn't you? The dwarf Southern Magnolia is a treat to your eyes, and I'm not prettying up. Seldom would one see all possible shades of white dwarfing all possible shades of green. That's Southern Magnolia - often referred to as bull-bay, big-laurel, or large flower magnolia. However, the medical nomenclature takes away all brownie points. Know why? Unlike many scientific names, this one's extremely easy to learn. Magnolia Grandiflora. This is it. For some exciting facts about this tree that defines natural beauty in its own myriad ways, the following words are a must-read.

Overview
The Southern Magnolia, belonging to the Magnoliaceae plant family, is native to North America, and was officially acknowledged as the State Tree by the Mississippi legislature on April 1, 1938. Trees of this species grow naturally throughout the Deep South, and range from eastern domain of North Carolina to easternmost Texas. Southern Magnolia seeds are the most attractive thing after its snowy-white flowers that take away all the credit.

Identification
On an average, a Southern Magnolia tree grows well between 60 to 80 feet. What's astonishing is the fact that the leaves of this tree are oblong in shape, and are leather-like in texture. What's more, an average leave can grow up to 10 inches. The seeds of this tree are shaped in long follicles, approximately 7 to 8 inches in length, and split open during the fall. Flowers of this tree bloom from spring through summer. They're in shades of white, and are as wide as 7 inches. The fruits that the tree bears are an aggregate of hairy tan to pale orange follicles that mature in early autumn. As far as the Southern Magnolia bark is concerned, it is a dark shade of gray on trees that are young, while developing furrows with age.

Uses
No points for guessing, the most extensive use of Southern Magnolia is in ornamenting for it has heart-meltingly beautiful flowers and branches. Due to its gigantic shape, it is used as a shade tree for parks and golf courses. The Southern Magnolia stands alone, and is mostly used to create fragrant privacy screens at many places. Other areas of where different Magnolia tree types are brought into use for furniture, cabinets, and associated woodwork.

Southern Magnolia Tree Care
You know, Magnolia tree care isn't really a piece of cake for this tree allures pests and weeds in large number. Firstly, when you decide to plant a Magnolia, ensure adequate sunlight, fertile, humus-rich soil, and sufficient water supply. The most important aspect of caring for Magnolia is to water it without fail, so that it establishes itself for times when dry spells hover. Regular fertilization, maintenance of mulch layer for soil-conservation, and minimization of pesky weeds are aspects of utmost importance. Make sure you do not carry out inane cultivation around the Southern Magnolia, for it would affect the development of your tree.

Moist soils of valleys and uplands in the southern periphery of America boast upon the Southern Magnolia tree. Facts about this huge tree with drop-dead gorgeous flowers state that it is because of its beauty that Magnolia deserves the place bestowed to it in stories and songs. The next time you end up touching the eastern Texas or central Floridian domain, you know what to look for out of the windows, don't you?