I love evergreen magnolias too, after a 12 year stint in north Florida - so
much so that I'm raising a relatively hardy cultivar (Edith Bogue) in the
far north clime of the inland Northwest. However, the normal growth pattern
of the large forms of magnolia have the lowest branches sweeping down to the
ground, and a relatively rounded top. The lower branches CAN be pruned off,
but I'm not sure that the effect can always be guaranteed to be graceful.
The smaller forms are almost all pyramidal in shape, and while the flowers
are prettily displayed on them, I don't think they have the majesty or the
grace of the taller varieties.
Peter wrote in message ...
On Wed, 16 Jul 2003 22:53:43 -0500, dementia13 wrote:

In article , Peter wrote:

What tree's would be evergreen, grow about 30' high with
a 20' spread, forming a canopy. I was considering a
magnolia.. but am open to suggestions.


Oh, yeah, I missed that about a canopy. Are you sure it's a Magnolia
you're looking for? Evergreen Magnolias have a pyramidal form like an
enormous holly, they're not a canopy tree in the sense that an oak or
maple would be. Again, if you do get a Magnolia, make sure that it's not
one 100' high with a 50' spread.

The canopy would be a nice touch but, what I picture would be a tree
form that provides shade underneath, versus something like a blue
spruce which has a nice shape from top to bottom. Want to use the
tree form to provide a center focus for smaller shrubs and flowers.

I've always been impressed by the magnolia's in Washington, D.C.
and think it would be fun to raise one..(or two...or many ....)

Thanks !!!