Planting and Growing Magnolia Trees
- 1). Buy a small magnolia tree from a garden store. Choose a tree in a container -- not one bound with burlap or a bare root ball. Magnolia roots are too sensitive for bare root planting, according to the University of Minnesota Extension.
- 2). Dig a hole twice as wide and slightly shallower than the tree container. Choose a garden location with lots of sun throughout the day and plenty of space for the tree to grow. Magnolia trees require deep, slightly acidic soil. Avoid shallow areas or alkaline soil.
- 3). Take the tree from the container with care. Lower it into the hole. The top of the tree's root ball should be just higher than ground level. Use a spade to fill in the hole spaces and pat the soil down firmly. Water it deeply.
- 4). Put a 3-inch layer of mulch near the tree, but leave the top of the root ball clear to make watering easier. Water regularly enough to keep the soil moist for the first few months to help the tree take root.
- 5). Apply a balanced fertilizer about six weeks after planting. Fertilize again the following spring after planting. Add a slow-release granular fertilizer to help feed the plant gradually.
- 6). Prune dead, stray or broken branches. Pull up any weeds or seedlings that appear in the ground near the tree's base.
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