It is perfectly normal for magnolia trees to lose leaves in spring, but foliage can drop for more alarming reasons – here's when to worry

Seeing a magnolia tree losing leaves can be worrying, but it can be part of its natural cycle. If you have a magnolia tree losing leaves, there are lots of possible causes and might not be a reason to get disheartened.

First, the good news. Magnolia trees can naturally drop leaves in spring and fall. Whether it is evergreen trees shedding old leaves or deciduous trees naturally losing their foliage, it is not unusual to see magnolia trees losing leaves at these times.

However, if the tree is losing leaves in large numbers in spring or dropping foliage in summer, there can be deeper issues at play. If you grow and care for a magnolia tree, we want to help. So I spoke to some experts about why magnolia trees lose leaves, when it should be worrying, and what can be done to alleviate the problems.

Why is my magnolia tree losing leaves?

The reasons may depend on several factors, including the type of magnolia tree, the time of year, and the growing conditions. But, naturally, as magnolias are much-adored trees for spring blossom, it can be disheartening to see. Let’s start by revealing the times when a magnolia tree losing leaves is nothing unusual.

Seasonal leaf drop is nothing to worry about

If you see dropped leaves and worry that your tree is not looking in great shape, it can be easy to wonder – Why is my magnolia tree losing leaves in spring?

The good news is that it is completely normal for evergreen magnolias, like the popular Southern magnolia, to drop leaves just before they flower. This is a natural cycle of shedding the older generations of leaves, ready to be replaced with newer growth.

Dennis Baum, owner and certified arborist at The Tree Nerds, says he receives lots of calls in April and May from homeowners worried about their magnolias. However, there is often no problem, and it is the result of this natural seasonal leaf drop.

‘Look closely in spring, and you'll probably see lots of new baby leaves and lots of flower buds, sprouting all over the tree,’ says Dennis. ‘That's a sure sign that nothing is wrong, the tree is just ditching the old crop of leaves and getting ready to burst out with a new crop. All those temporarily-stored nutrients will get pushed right into flower and leaf development.’

This spring renewal of foliage is part of a magnolia’s natural growth pattern and should result in 5-10 per cent of leaves dropping. It is typically nothing to be concerned about, but if a much larger number of leaves drop, it could be due to another issue.

The other natural time of year for magnolias to lose their leaves is in fall, when deciduous magnolias shed their leaves.

Dennis Baum

Dennis Baum is owner of The Tree Nerds in Wilmington, North Carolina. He is a Certified Arborist with the International Society of Arboriculture and has vast experience in tree care. He has an ISA Tree Risk Assessment Qualification and a North Carolina Pesticide Applicator license.

5 stressors that can cause leaf drop

If a magnolia tree loses leaves in large numbers, or at other times of year other than spring or fall, there may be underlying causes stressing the tree. These include over- or underwatering, a lack of nutrients, pests, disease, or extreme temperatures.

1. Watering

Both overwatering and underwatering can cause leaf drop. Magnolia trees like steady moisture levels, and overwatering plants can lead to root rot, foliage discoloration, and leaf drop. At the other end of the scale, underwatering can cause leaves to wither and fall.

Zeeshan Haider, CEO and founder of Greenry Enthusiast, highlights two indicators that may indicate your magnolia has excessively soggy roots. ‘Leaf yellowing or spotting, along with excessive leaf drop, indicates that your plant experiences stress due to overwatering.’

Check the color of any fallen leaves and test the soil using a soil moisture meter to see the current levels. Using a meter can help you make decisions about when to water plants and avoid over- or under-watering.

Zeeshan Haider

Zeeshan Haider is the CEO and founder of Greenery Enthusiast, a blog that provides advice and buying guides on the best gardening machinery and tools.

2. Nutrients

A lack of nutrients can show in the form of yellow leaves that fall from the tree. A magnolia tree suffering from a lack of nutrients will benefit from an organic, slow-release fertilizer. Annually fertilizing magnolias in spring with compost or fertilizer gives trees the nutrients needed to produce flowers and foliage.

3. Pests

Scale insects, spider mites, and aphids can cause leaf loss as they suck sap from the foliage, causing it to discolor and drop from the tree. If you suspect pest problems, Samuel Davis, a horticulturist and CEO of London Gardeners, advises: ‘Examine beneath leaves and along stems for small insects or sticky substance.’ You can spray sap-sucking pests with horticultural soap or a homemade bug spray to combat problems.

Samuel Davis

Samuel Davis, a horticulturist and the CEO of London Gardeners, brings a green thumb and strategic vision to the helm. Under his leadership, London Gardeners has blossomed into the go-to destination for premier gardening services in the city, fostering beautiful landscapes while nurturing a commitment to environmental stewardship.

4. Disease

Fungal diseases can cause leaves to develop white, brown, or black spots and ultimately drop from the tree. The likes of powdery mildew, leaf spot, and leaf blight can strike. Removing affected branches and leaves can limit the spread, and spraying copper-based fungicides (such as this ready-to-use liquid copper fungicide at Amazon) can combat infections. Pruning magnolia trees can improve air circulation and sunlight penetration into the crown to reduce the risk of fungal diseases.

5. Extreme temperatures

Environmental stress from summer heat waves, or late and unexpected frosts, can shock magnolia trees and cause them to lose leaves. Mulching around the tree’s base helps regulate soil temperatures and protect the roots from extreme temperatures.

Monitor the tree as it recovers and prune out any dead or damaged branches when you spot them. When it is a case of environmental problems, Samuel Davis advises to ‘be patient’ and not be too quick to predict the tree’s demise. He says: ‘Sometimes, magnolias simply need time to recover from environmental shocks.’

FAQs

Do magnolia leaves grow back?

Magnolia leaves will grow again after being dropped in the spring. After the trees shed leaves as part of any natural cycle, new growth will emerge to replace the old foliage. If the tree is stressed and drops leaves, it will produce new foliage, provided that any mitigating factors are addressed. Failing to act on any stressors can mean ongoing defoliation, undermining the tree’s overall health.

Knowing when to prune a magnolia ensures you avoid further stressing trees. The correct time to trim is after the tree has flowered, in early summer for deciduous types and late summer for evergreen varieties.

Whatever variety of magnolia you have, you should not prune in spring and always wait until after flowering. If you trim before flowering, the tree will bleed lots of sap and suffer unnecessary stress, which affects the appearance and leaves it susceptible to pests and diseases.