Jones wrote:
On 2006-08-12 00:38:14 -0400, Steve said:

vio wrote:

A friend's cherished magnolia had to be taken down earlier this year.
Now, there are about six stems sprouting from the trunk -- about 2 feet
high. Is there any chance one of these could be coaxed back into a
tree? The original was planted to mark a child's birth, so it would be
pleasing if the tree could be "reborn" in this way.


I don't have experience with Magnolia but I can offer some advice if
your friend wants to try to grow the tree back.
I would leave ALL of the sprouted stems for now. The important thing
the first year or so is to keep the roots alive. If there isn't enough
top growth to supply food to the roots, they may die and the project
is over.
At some point, maybe 1 1/2 years from now, if all has gone well so
far, start cutting out the extra stems one or 2 a year. If some
sprouts are up high on the trunk and others are sprouting from ground
level, the one to keep is the lowest one. The original trunk will rot
eventually and it would be best if the new trunk was starting fresh at
ground level.
Again, I haven't done this with Magnolias (I'm too far north for any
Magnolia). This would be VERY easy to do with a willow or a Silver
Maple and it would never work for some other trees. The fact that
there are about 6 sprouts tells me that the tree has a good chance.

Steve

I would also consider "spading off" one of the shoots, complete with
root tissue, and propagating it in some good rooting medium. You might
want to speak to your local nursery about how to do this. See also
Michael Dirr, "Reference manual of Woody Plant Propagation."





I would "air layer" one of the shoots. I've air layered magnolia before
when I was a kid. My parents still have the magnolia tree that I
started from it.

Bob