Magnolia Fruit

[Dodger666]

We have lived in our present house for 28 years. There is a Magnolia bush/tree in the rear garden which has flowered in abundance every year. After flowering the small cone like centre of the flower has fallen off all over the lawn to be cleared up.

This year, for the first time, a good number of the cones have remained on the tree and are now quite large. I understand these "fruits" will eventually tun red. Is there any particular reason why we have never seen these fruits before. Is it anything to do with "Climate Change"

[jomifl]

we had a magnolia soulangia in our garden in UK. although it was a mature tree about 15 feet high it didn't fruit until we had been there several years. Since it started fruiting it has done so every year to a greater or lessr degree. The fruits are very strange, first you get a lumpy green pod which turns red then it splits open and bright red fruits shaped like smarties hang down on white threads about 1-2cm. long.The flesh around the seed is oily and birds love them. I think that it is now producing fruit because it is mature.

[Dodger666]

Thanks for that jomilf.

Our situation is virtually identical to your's. The fruits are exactly as you describe, although none have yet split and turned red. In fact we can only see one fruit that appears to have formed a gourd shaped cone fully. There are many others in various stages of forming. Our tree is at least 15ft high and 20ft across at its widest part. Let's hope we can look forward to it fruiting every year.

Thanks again.

[carlton23]

Dodger, Google `Magnolia Fruit` to see what jomifl is saying.

[Dodger666]

I already had carlton before I posted the question.

My query was actually why we hadn't seen the tree produce fruit in the 28 years we have been in the house. Is it normal for a Magnolia to be so old before it produces fruit? I haven't found anything yet on the internet that can tell me. I don't even know which type of Magnolia we have.

[carlton23]

Google `Magnolia Tree Types` then, as it should show yours.

[Dodger666]

Just tried that carlton, there's hundreds of different types. We will have to wait for the fruit to develop or wait until it's in flower again next year to identify it from looking at pictures.

Thanks for all the advice folks.

[Dodger666]

Just spoke to my neighbour who's a bit of a gardening buff and he tells me it's the same species as your's was jomifl, a magnolia soulangiana.