How Big Is The Root System Of A Magnolia Tree?

Tree roots have always been a special concern for homeowners. And it’s not surprising because root systems can cause a lot of trouble, especially if we’re talking about a small yard.

QUICK ANSWER: The root system of a magnolia tree is as big as its crown. This is a general rule, so the bigger the tree, the bigger the roots. The roots extend about the same width as the branches.

Some large magnolia species can have a root system several times larger than the above-ground part. For a tree to have such roots, it must grow for many years under ideal conditions in the wild. In an urban environment, this is hardly possible.

On the other hand, young trees usually have smaller roots than the top part of the tree. This is because the tree first creates branches and leaves and only secondarily makes their equivalent in roots.

Read more: Tips On The Care Of Magnolia Tree

Do magnolia trees have deep roots?

Magnolia does not have deep roots, its root system is superficial. However, it all depends on the size of the particular tree. If the tree is more than 30 feet tall, its roots are at least 10 feet deep.

Also, different species of magnolia can have different depths. Very large specimens may have roots as deep as their width. This is because the tree needs to cling heavily to the ground to withstand strong winds.

Do magnolia trees have damaging roots?

Magnolia has no destructive roots. In general, its roots are pretty thin and spread out in the upper layer of soil. Only some part of the root system is thick and strong, but in general, these roots are directed vertically into the depths to support the tree.

However, under certain circumstances, the roots can have a destructive effect. For this to happen the tree must be large (at least 15-20 feet tall).

Most often, a sidewalk can be damaged by magnolia roots. If the tree grows too close to the sidewalk, the roots may damage it a little. However, nothing critical will happen, just a few cracks.

So plant magnolia trees at least 5 feet away from walkways, sidewalks, or driveways.

Will magnolia tree roots damage house foundations?

Magnolia roots can damage the foundation of a house. This is possible if the tree is very large. To have a root system capable of destroying the foundation, the magnolia must be about 20 feet tall.

For this reason, plant the magnolia at least 30 feet away from the house. The same goes for other buildings, such as a garage or barn.

Planting too close can not only result in foundation damage but also increased humidity in the house.

If your magnolia is growing too close to the house, you need to replant it. Read how to do this properly in How to transplant a magnolia tree?

Another solution to this problem is to prune your magnolia tree regularly.

Are magnolia tree roots invasive?

Magnolia roots are invasive. This means that under certain conditions, they can damage both the objects around them and prevent the growth of other plants.

Of course, magnolia roots are not as aggressive compared to Silver Maple roots. However, you need to follow some rules for growing magnolias.

First, stick to the recommendation for planting distance to the house and other objects. You can find them above.

The second is the difficulty of growing shade-loving plants under a magnolia canopy. The surface roots of magnolia plants are quite fine and branchy as a result they suck out a lot of water. They can also interfere with the growth of other plants.

Can I cut magnolia tree roots?

You can trim the roots of the magnolia if you need to. Moreover, in some cases, it is even necessary.

As a general rule, do not cut the roots of the magnolia closer than 2 feet from the trunk. Otherwise, you might touch too many roots and the leaves will turn brown.

The first time you may need to trim the roots is to keep them from spreading further than a certain area. Take a trench shovel and stick it on the edge of the area you don’t want the roots to spread beyond.

Step by step, go all the way around the border and trim the magnolia roots. Use a saw or an ax to remove the larger roots.

Magnolia tree roots above ground

Sometimes there is a situation where the roots of the magnolia can appear on the surface of the ground. This can happen because of heavy rains or because the roots increase in size and rise slightly above the ground.

This is a common thing that happens to many trees. But in this case, the roots can easily be damaged mechanically. So you need to cover them.

First of all put a thin layer of soil on top just to cover the roots from the sun. The layer of soil can be about 1-2 inches.

Next, spread a layer of mulch 2-3 inches thick. This will prevent the soil from eroding and reappearing roots. Use organic matter as mulch. The harder the mulch the better, so pine bark is best.

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