How to Grow and Care for Yellow Bird Magnolia (Yellow Tulip Tree)

Yellow bird magnolia, also sometimes known as a yellow tulip tree, is a hybrid species developed by the Brooklyn Botanic Garden (BBG) in 1981. This flowering tree is the result of a backcross of M. acuminata var. subcordata and another hybrid developed by BBG, Magnolia × brooklynensis ‘Evamaria.’ Genetics aside, what you need to know is that this magnolia tree is stunning in the spring. 

Yellow bird magnolia grows in varied climate conditions and requires at least partial sun, but does best with full sun conditions. Water it deeply and ensure that the soil is acidic and well-draining for optimal health and blooming activity.

Yellow Bird Magnolia Care

Here are the main care requirements for growing yellow bird magnolia:

• Plant in a well-draining potting mix.
• Plant in a location that receives full sun or partial shade, especially in very warm weather climates.
• Water deeply and regularly, but avoid creating soggy soil conditions.
• Use a well-balanced fertilizer in the spring after flowering.
  

Light

Full sun is ideal for the yellow bird magnolia. However, these trees can also grow in partial shade. A measure of shade can be beneficial in hot weather growing conditions with intense afternoon sun.

It’s also worth noting that you should not plant the tree in a location with full sun and southern exposure in close proximity to a house or other building. Doing so can cause the tree’s buds to open too early, risking foliage and flower loss.

Soil

Yellow bird magnolias require moist, well-drained soil. As long as these conditions are met, the tree will do fine in loamy, clay, or sandy soil, although soil amendments may be needed to ensure that the tree’s need for nutrients and drainage is met. This tree prefers acidic soil conditions, but it can tolerate neutral soil pH.

Water

When first planted, you should plan to water yellow bird magnolia trees regularly and deeply. While the soil should be moist, beware of creating soggy soil conditions or standing water. Once the tree is established, you can reduce the frequency of watering. Water deeply when the soil is dry. Mature trees exhibit a measure of drought resistance.

Temperature and Humidity

The yellow bird magnolia doesn't have particular temperature or humidity requirements, as long as it’s grown in USDA hardiness zones 5 to 9. This encompasses regions as far north as New York or Iowa and as far south as Texas or Florida.

Fertilizer

Like other magnolia species, yellow bird magnolia is not a heavy feeder and mature trees in organically rich soil may require no fertilization at all. However, for young trees or those planted in soil that offers limited nutrients, you can apply a well-balanced fertilizer to the base of this tree in the spring after flowering.

Pruning

Yellow bird magnolia trees naturally grow with an aesthetically-pleasing pyramidal shape. With that in mind, they don’t require heavy pruning. But if you need to remove a wayward or damaged branch, it’s best to prune after the tree has finished flowering. 

Propagating Yellow Bird Magnolia

Yellow bird magnolia can be more challenging to propagate than your favorite garden flower. However, if you’d like to try propagating this tree, your best bet is to take a semi-hardwood cutting in the summer during pruning. You’ll need a sterilized sharp knife or pruning shears, rooting hormone (optional but strongly encouraged), a planter, perlite or other sterile rooting medium, and a clear plastic bag.

1. Using the knife or pruning shears, take a six-inch semi-hardwood cutting with at least a few leaves, making a cut above a node. Remove the lower leaves but retain several leaves at the top half of the cutting.
2. Dip the cut end into the rooting hormone and shake off any excess.
3. Fill the pot with the perlite mix or chosen rooting medium. Plant the cutting about 2 inches deep in the pot. Moisten the soil and cover the pot with a plastic bag.
4. Place in bright, indirect light and water as needed to maintain soil moisture.
5. After you observe evidence of root growth, transfer the plant to a larger pot filled with potting mix. Continue to water and grow the plant in the pot until significant growth and foliage appears. You can then transfer the magnolia tree to your desired location in the yard or garden. 

Overwintering

This tree is cold hardy to -20 degrees Fahrenheit and doesn’t require much special attention to overwinter when cultivated in USDA growing zones 5 to 9. However, you may want to apply a layer of mulch around the root area to insulate the tree against extreme cold.  

Common Plant Diseases 

The most common plant diseases for a yellow bird magnolia are usually caused by fungus infection. The good news is that for a mature tree, conditions like leaf spot, canker, and verticillium wilt can be unsightly but are not necessarily fatal with a bit of intervention.

Various fungi can cause leaf spot on magnolia trees. The condition affects the foliage but usually resolves with a period of dry, sunny weather. Young trees are the most vulnerable to leaf spot and so you may choose to use a copper-based fungicide spray. 

Canker and verticillium wilt, which are also fungus-borne diseases, require prompt pruning of infected branches. Be sure to sterilize your pruning tools after each cut and burn infected branches to avoid spreading the fungus. You should also work to minimize environmental stress on the tree while it recovers by providing sufficient water and fertilizer (if warranted based on soil conditions).

How to Get Yellow Bird Magnolia to Bloom

Specifically cultivated for its abundant yellow blooms, the yellow bird magnolia won’t disappoint as long as it's given the right growing conditions. Here’s what to do to encourage flower development and what you can expect during this tree’s bloom season. 

Bloom Months

Yellow bird magnolia typically blooms in the late spring. April is usually the peak month of blooming activity for this tree.

How Long Does Yellow Bird Magnolia Bloom?

The blooms of a yellow bird magnolia tree will usually last for up to three weeks. Each spring, you can expect the tree to produce a showy burst of yellow flowers. Because this variety of magnolia tree blooms in the late spring, the threat of frost is rarely an impediment to the spectacular display of flowers. 

What Do Yellow Bird Magnolia Flowers Look and Smell Like?

The flowers of a yellow bird magnolia tree are an opaque yellow color and have an appealing fragrance. They measure about 3.5 inches in width and have a cup-like form with six upright petals.

How to Encourage More Blooms

A healthy yellow bird magnolia will generally produce a flower at the end of nearly every stem along its branches. It’s typically not necessary to take any special steps to prompt this abundant flowering activity, but if you notice that flower production is stifled or absent altogether, there is a problem with the tree’s growing conditions.

It may be that the tree is not receiving sufficient sunlight. While yellow bird magnolia trees can be grown in partial shade, too much shade will hinder flower production. Unfortunately, transplanting magnolia trees can be challenging based on the size of the tree and the tree’s tendency to suffer from transplant shock. If at all possible, choose the optimal location for your yellow bird magnolia tree at the time of planting. Look for a spot with full sun, if possible, but a location that is protected from strong winds which can blow away the tender blooms. 

Another way to encourage more blooms on a yellow bird magnolia tree is to modify the soil pH levels. Like other magnolia species, these trees prefer acidic soil conditions. Perform a soil pH test to determine if you have acidic, neutral, or alkaline soil, and then amend the soil as needed. 

Common Problems With Yellow Bird Magnolia

The yellow bird magnolia is a fairly tolerant magnolia tree that isn’t prone to many problems. However, it is subject to some of the same pitfalls and diseases as other magnolia trees. Here’s what to watch for when growing this ornamental flowering tree. 

Spots or Dropping Leaves

If you notice small brown or black spots appearing on the leaves or the leaves are dropping prematurely, you may be dealing with a fungus or bacterial infection. Some of the most common culprits for a magnolia tree include Septoria spp., Cladosporium spp., and Coniothyrium spp. The good news is that you typically don’t need to take any drastic action. You can trim away and discard affected leaves, but a drop in humidity levels and plenty of sun will usually clear up the infection. 

Dying Branches

If you notice dying branches on a yellow bird magnolia tree, it could be a sign of fungal infection causing canker or verticillium wilt. You should take action to remove the affected limbs right away, taking precautions to sterilize your pruning tools and destroy the discarded limbs. In severe cases of verticillium wilt, tree removal may be the eventual outcome to prevent the spread of the fungus throughout your yard or garden.

Browning Leaves

Since yellow bird magnolia is deciduous, you can expect the leaves of the tree to turn brown and drop off in the autumn season. But if you notice browning leaves in the spring or summer growing season, it may be a sign of another issue. In the spring, browning leaves may signal frost damage. That’s one reason to choose a planting site that is somewhat sheltered from strong winds, especially in the colder regions of this plant’s growing zone. If the leaves are browning after the last frost is long gone, then it could be an iron deficiency. A soil nutrient test can help to identify if this is the problem so that you can remedy it.