Identifying characteristics:
This is the hardiest and most widespread native magnolia in the US. The
cucumber tree has a pyramidal crown when young, developing a rounded, spreading
crown at maturity, with large, wide-spreading branches. Upper branches ascend
and lower ones arch down to the ground. Trees can live to 150 years and
grow to a height of 100 feet, with an 80-foot spread. The large (4 to 10
inches long), thin, glossy dark green, deciduous leaves
are paler and softly hairy beneath. Fall color is brown or ashy-gray. Flowers
are solitary, appearing after the leaves in late spring. The greenish-yellow
petals are produced in 2 sets of 3 to form an upright, cup-shaped bloom
3 inches long. The fruit is a leathery,
cylindrical aggregate of pinkish follicles up to 3 inches long, produced
in October. The structure looks somewhat like a miniature cucumber. The
seeds are bright red and are suspended on thin, white threads after being
released. The terminal buds are enclosed in a single scale which
is covered with numerous long, silky, silver hairs. Leaf scars are
U-shaped, with 5 to 9 bundles scars. Stipule scars form a fine line encircling
the stem at each leaf scar. Bark
is smooth and gray-brown in youth, becoming fissured into narrow, scaly
flat ridges.
Similar species:
Ecology:
Distribution: This magnolia is native to the forests of the
eastern US from western New York to Louisiana, but is not abundant in its
range.
Habitat: It is found on rich, mesic slopes, along stream banks and in protected valleys. It is a medium- to fast-grower and prefers deep, slightly acid, well-drained, moist soil. It grows well on the calcareous soils of the Midwest. It is hardy and tolerates full sun or partial shade, but cannot withstand extreme drought or very wet soils. Although scale insects attack this species at times, it is relatively problem-free.
Uses:
Wood: The wood is soft, weak, close-grained and durable. It
is harvested and sold with that of the tulip poplar (Liriodendron
tulipifera) and is used for boxes, crates, inexpensive furniture, doors
and interior trim.
Wildlife: A few birds and rodents eat the seeds, which are produced annually (heavier crops occur every 3 to 5 years).
Horticulture: This magnolia is a good specimen tree for large areas such as golf courses, parks and naturalized sites. Various hybrids provide the landscaper a wide choice of flower colors. 'Evamaria' produces magenta-pink flowers with pale orange and yellow; 'Yellow Bird' has pure yellow flowers appearing earlier; and the variety "subcordata" produces tulip-shaped, yellow flowers on a small tree that is hardy to minus 25 degrees F.
