A Magnolia Mulch How-To

Q: What is the proper way to treat the ground under a magnolia tree? I have always thought that the buildup of magnolia leaves was a part of the tree’s efforts to keep its roots covered and protected. Yet I see many people rake and remove that natural ground cover.

A: You are right and here are my thoughts. When covering the ground under a tree, you have two choices: plants or mulch. Usually, the ground under a magnolia is very shady and English ivy, the ground cover with the most shade tolerance, struggles to advance more than a foot or two into the drip line of a mature, densely -leaved magnolia.

With plants out of the question, you’re left with mulch. You could use pine or hardwood chips, but they cost money and don’t match the tree’s color. Your observation is correct that magnolia leaves are part of the tree’s efforts to protect the roots. I think magnolia leaves can make a perfectly adequate mulch. Whole leaves do hold water where mosquitoes could potentially breed. My advice is to rake all of the leaves under the tree then go over them once with your mower to break up but not shred the whole leaves. If the limbs are too low to walk under, then do the best you can pushing your mower under the tree from all sides.