Question
QUESTION: Hi there Jim. I have a young magnolia, the very large flower variety. I had to transplant it last winter and it is now loosing it's leaves. They have gone slightly on the yellow side and have black spots. I look forward to hearing from you. All the best, Daniel.

ANSWER: Sounds like shock from the move. Make sure you mulch around the tree with nort more than 3 inches of organic mulch and water. I would water the tree every third day unless it rains with 1 inch of water (place a pan under the tree and turn the sprinkler on and when the pan has 1 inch of water in it stop). Do this for a couple of months then every week for the first growing season.

---------- FOLLOW-UP ----------

QUESTION: Hi Jim. Thank you for your answer. I was wondering as to what kind of mulch, just a good garden compost or something mixed with horse manure? Should I just place this around the base of the plant, assuming that to dig up the plant again may cause more damage.

As I have you here I would also like to ask about a palm that I have. The soil here is high in clay and the palm has been in for 5 years and does not seem to grow! It gets new leaves but no upward movement. By my reckoning it should be at least 6ft by now but it is only 3ft with the leaves and the stem 1ft! The leaves tend to be a bit yellow as well. What are your ideas on this one.

Many thanks

Daniel

Answer
Any organic mulch would be good--bark. pine needles. Put not more then 3 inches deep and not piled up on the trunk. Put it like a donut with the trunk in the hole.   BUT I would not use any manure this will burn the roots and cause the tree damage. Just put the mulch around the tree to aid in the moisture holding.

I really can not help with the palm. each species of palm will grow different depending on the conditions it is growing in. It may just need fertilizer. I would check with the local tree nursery and ask what fertilizer and growing conditions your species of palm needs.