Does Raking Cause Magnolia Tree Leaves to Fall?

A homeowner whose landscape includes a southern magnolia (Magnolia grandiflora) understands the frustration of the never-ending job of raking its leaves in spring. So much raking is required that you might wonder if raking actually causes the leaves to fall. The simple answer is no.

Life Cycle

• Southern magnolia, like most evergreens, actually does lose its leaves. Each spring, the tree drops the oldest third of its leaves, making room for the bright green growth you see later. They usually turn yellow before dropping.

Uses for Fallen Leaves

• Magnolia leaves may be shredded with a lawn mower into a fine, sturdy leaf mulch. They may be used as a fine mulch for spring planting, or as a soil conditioner to lighten soil structure. Shredded magnolia leaves also make a fine addition to the compost pile.

Minimizing Raking

• Allowing magnolia branches to grow close to the ground will cover a lot of fallen leaves, so raking can be done less often. Planting a magnolia far from the house also minimizes the cosmetic impact of its fallen leaves.