I recently had a bobcat bucket level my 5 year old yellow butterfly magnolia tree. The trunk was completely ripped off but the stump has not yet been removed. Now there is a vigorous growth of approx. 6 new leaves on about 2 new shoots from the side of the base of the trunk where it remains level with the ground. The leaves are bigger than ever! Is there any possibility that this will become a new tree? I was wondering if I should try to propagate these although I prefer to leave well enough alone-if it won't be a tree, then I'll move it somewhere else.
It would be nice to know where your tree came from. Most 'Butterflies' here are cutting grown which means what is left of your tree will be true if it was a cutting grown plant. Larger leaves after the top dies is normal. The leaves of my 'Koban Dori' are huge right now compared to normal leaf size after my helper missed two waterings last year at a bad time and we lost most of the top of the tree. We have side shoots coming out also and it will make a tree if you prune it to shape it to be a tree or left alone it will make a very nice large shrub. Personally, I'd leave it as a shrub as it will yield more blooms for you later than it will have as a reconstructed tree. If you are to move it, do it soon as when most Magnolias have their tops cut down or they lose much of the top and recover they will produce new support roots rather fast. Jim
Thank you! I'll just leave it be-a shrub will be alright-especially if it blooms more! I appreciate your help.
