Question
Dear Sir,
I live in Florida and have a Magnolia x Soulangiana rosea, which is only two years old, in my yard. Last fall it had problems with the leaves. They began to have dark brown spots on them and eventially died and fell off. After a while it was spring again,the magnolia sprouted and gave beatiful flowers. About two months ago the same thing happened again. I have been taking good care of this Tree, Busch, fertilizing, watering and spraying for pests. The plant keeps on sprouting, making nev leaves and growth, but the pest keeps attacking  the new leaves.
What can I do or what am I doing wrong?
Your help is very much appriciated.
Thanks
Gitta

Answer
Hi Gitta,

Wenn ich fragen darf, sind Sie vielleicht Deutsche?  

I am not sure that the leaf problem is disease related.  My sister, who also lives in Florida, had a similar problem.  When she talked with a local arborist, he told her that Magnolias in Florida sometime defoliate for no apparent reason, and this tends to be cyclic.  

However, if you notice any reddish-brown spots on the leaves, particularly the underside, then you may have a problem with scale insect infestation.  Examine the leaves very, very carefully.  Scale insects can be removed with a little pressure of a fingernail.  The sites that they are removed from with appear lighter colored green.

When scale insect infestation is advanced, the leaves may yellow, brown and drop from the tree.  There is no permanent damage to the tree, but if untreated, the tree will not grow well.

Scale insects are mobile only as juveniles, and they appear as small white flecks usually at the leaf stem and trunk, but may appear anywhere.  Scales also produce a sticky "honeydew" that is very, very attractive to ants.  So you may see many ants on the tree if you a scale infestation.

Horticultural oils can be applied in the cooler months, but be very careful to follow instructions.