What are these growths on our winter hardy magnolia?

Cori Lahn
by Cori Lahn
Our magnolia is five years old. This is the first season I have noticed these growths on the boughs. Does anyone know what they are? Will they harm the plant?
This plant has grown quickly in our yard in Wisconsin. I would hate to lose it. If the photo is stretched the growths are visible. This magnolia blooms white and the buds winter over on the plant, just like down south.
If you study this photo you find the growths on nearly every bough.
This is our new Jane Magnolia. Will the growths appear on this plant too? This magnolia blooms pink and this is the first season we have had it in our yard.
  9 answers
  • Sharon Sharon on Aug 10, 2017

    From what I can read these are fruiting bodies of wood rot fungus. Here is the article... Wood rot

    This is another fungal disease that affects magnolia trees. When a magnolia tree is affected by wood rot, its wood starts decaying. The symptoms of this condition vary and they largely depend on the fungus that attacks the magnolia trees. Usually, the fungus gets into the tree through its scars and wounds. Wood rot is usually recognized by conks or fruiting fungal bodies that appear on the trunk of the trees that are infected by the fungus. Generally, this disease is more widespread in older magnolia trees and it can even result in their death. The best way to protect your magnolias from developing wood rot is to ensure that they are not injured or damaged. However, if the disease has already affected your magnolia tree, cut down the dead branches and those infected by the fungus as soon as you notice the symptoms. It is also important to dispose these dead and diseased branches appropriately to ensure that the fungus does not spread to the healthy parts of the tree.


    If you are going to prune these out, be sure to dip your pruner in 9 parts water, 1 part bleach for each cut you make to not infect other areas.


    • See 1 previous
    • Sharon Sharon on Aug 10, 2017

      I found no mention of fruits in any of the articles as that was my first suspect, but no they don't get them. If it was me, I would cut them off and then spray the tree with a copper sulfate fungicide.

  • Johnavallance82 Johnavallance82 on Aug 10, 2017

    Sorry, I can't make out the Growths Picture too far away from them

  • Bren Bren on Aug 10, 2017

    After a quick internet search (Google images) these appears to be the "fruit" or seed pods of your bush. Apparently they will drop from the bush eventually and you can open them to see if there are seeds inside. They could also be a "gall" which is when insects lay eggs and the plant surronds them as a healing action. I would cut one open and you should be able to tell which it is.

  • Kathleen Finan Kathleen Finan on Aug 10, 2017

    What I would do is cut a branch off with the growth on it. Take it to a garden center & ask them what it is, also they can tell you what to do for it. Hope this helps.


    • Cori Lahn Cori Lahn on Aug 10, 2017

      Thanks Kathy, but I don't think the people there would like that.

  • Landsharkinnc Landsharkinnc on Aug 10, 2017

    Try this link, send photo... https://ask.extension.org

  • Julie Coates Julie Coates on Aug 10, 2017

    I would contact your local Ag extension office or Master Gardeners before taking any drastic measures. Locals have probably seen this and can help you decide what it is and what action to take if needed. I see Landsharkinnc has sent you a link for the extension site. Good Luck!

    • Cori Lahn Cori Lahn on Aug 10, 2017

      Thank you so much! I did snap a few pods off and when I opened them found what looks like immature seeds. I'm feeling so much better about our plant. We really don't want to lose it.

  • Cori Lahn Cori Lahn on Aug 10, 2017

    I want to thank everyone who responded so quickly and knowledgeably to my question. After looking at a response to the same question from Michigan, sent to an Ag Extension, I have concluded they are seed pods. We will be watching and waiting to see what the mature fruit looks like and how our many backyard visitors react to this new food source.

  • Kathleen Finan Kathleen Finan on Aug 11, 2017

    I'm sure they would think nothing of you doing it. People do it all the time