Question
I live in Chicago, IL and have a magnolia bush in my front yard. Please forgive me I don't know what type however, it has silvery wart looking bumps on the lower branches, a foul odor coming from the ground beneath it and is constantly infested with flies. It seems to bloom hardily in Spring but I am concerned that it has a disease that may effect my lawn etc. Is this a common condition? Thank you.

Answer
The warty bumps are most likely scale insects.  You can rub them off with your fingernail.  They do not move when feeding so you wont see any activity.  The bad smell may be from mold growing on the soil surface from the honey-dew that the scale deposit on the leaves and on the soil surface.  The flies may also be attracted to the honey-dew.  I would treat the plant with Bayer Advanced Tree and Shrub Insecticide.  This product is mixed with water and poured on the soil around the base of the plant.  It is taken up systemically and will kill the bugs within a week or so.  It also provides protection from reinfestation for up to a year.  This should fix the problem.  Good Luck.