Magnolias? They leave a spore that prevents anything else growing. Any one know what to do about it?

Question

A friend had had one removed and nothing has grown on that spot for three years!

Answer 1

Magnolias don't have "spores".

Black Walnut trees do produce a chemical that is "hostile" to a number of other plants, but not Magnolias.

Maybe your friend should start by getting a soil sample tested to see what the trouble is. Most plants prefer acidic soils, so I would NOT add lime until you at least knew what the existing ph of the soil is, and what you intend to plant there.

Your local plant nursery or garden center can probably tell you where you can get your soil tested.

Answer 2

There is something called Magnolia Coincap - a fungus strobilurus conigenoides that can grow from decaying roots of magnolias specifically BUT Magnoias don't produce or leave any spores themselves so it's a mystery why nothing will grow in the spot. Try adding plenty of organic matter and some lime to the soil or put down a slab and stand a large planted pot on it. :-) If the soil is highly acidic grow acid-loving plants like rhododendrons and azaleas.

Answer 3

Fact is, Southern Magnolias HAVE been proven to be alleopathic. That is, they release a phytoxin that discourages other plants from growing in their vicinity. See this web site, also google alleopathy in Southern magnolias for more information.
PDF] GA Sci 64-1.inddFile Format: PDF/Adobe Acrobat - View as HTML
We investigated possible allelopathic effects of Magnolia grandiflora on rapid ... allelopathy in southern magnolia. Magnolia grandiflora leaves are slow to ...
www.gpc.edu/~jaliff/GAJSci64-1.pdf - Similar pages - Note this
Since the tree is now gone, the allepathic effect should diminish, just give it time.

Answer 4

Nice answer Isodora.

She is quite right, many plants have allelopathic properties, including some common grass species, that release substances into the soil, that while harmless to themselves, are toxic to other plants. Here's a link:

http://edis.ifas.ufl.edu/HS186

I am not surprised to learn that Magnolia is one such species. They don't release "spores" however, this is the realm of fungi not shrubs.

Magnolias are great small trees/large shrubs however and I'd enjoy it.

Hope that helps a bit more.

Answer 5

Magnolias do not release spores. They do like acidic soil that many plants don't tolerate. Sweeten the soil with lime and organic material.