Question
I planted a Magnolia Grandiflora Brackens Brown Beauty last year in naturally acidic soil of North Carolina mountains.  Lots of rhodos and laurel grow in the area.  It looked great until a few weeks ago when I noticed the leaves, mostly at the top of the tree, where the center of the leaf, along the main vein, has turned brown and blotchy.  The brown part is dried out.  Do you think this is some sort of fungi.  It is planted on the north side of a house and the weather here has been very mild this winter.  Any ideas what I should do about my tree.
Thank you so much.

Answer
Hi Judy:

The symptoms that you describe do not sound like a specific infectious disease, but perhaps the result of a root/soil related stress.  Someone would need to see your tree "in person" to make a better assessment.  Do you know how acid these soils are?  Trees will perform best in soils with a pH (measure of soil acidity)at around 6.5-7.5.  When soils are too acid, some nutrients cannot be taken up by some of our plants.  Also, take a look around the tree and look for any obvious damage to the bark, especially near the base of the tree.

If the tree bark looks intact, you may consider contacting your local county Agricultural Extension office.  There is one in every county there.  It is usually in the town of the county seat.  The staff should be able to advise you and even come out to your tree to give you a free evaluation.  These folks have a lot of training in horticulture and should be very helpful.  If you need help locating the office, let me know what county that you live in and I can get you a phone number to call.

Regards
Steve