This large, deciduous magnolia tree is excellent for large properties such as parks, golf courses, and naturalized areas.
Cucumbertree’s wide-spreading branches are covered with dark green leaves that turn an attractive yellow-brown in the fall.
Although its flowers are not as showy as those of other magnolia species, the cucumbertree yields interesting pinkish-red fruit pods.
- Family (English) Magnolia
- Family (botanic) Magnoliaceae
- Planting site Residential and parks
- Tree or plant type Tree
- Foliage Deciduous (seasonally loses leaves)
- Native locale Illinois, North America
- Size range Large tree (more than 40 feet)
- Mature height 50-80 feet
- Mature width 50-80 feet
- Light exposure Full sun (6 hrs direct light daily), Partial sun / shade (4-6 hrs light daily)
- Hardiness zones Zone 3, Zone 4, Zone 5 (Northern Illinois), Zone 6 (City of Chicago), Zone 7, Zone 8
- Soil preference Acid soil, Moist, well-drained soil
- Drought tolerance Sensitive
- Other tolerances Alkaline soil
- Season of interest late spring, early fall, mid fall
- Flower color and fragrance Fragrant, Yellow
- Shape or form Oval, Pyramidal
- Growth rate Fast, Moderate
- Transplants well Yes
- Planting considerations Intolerant of pollution, May be difficult to find in nurseries
- Wildlife Songbirds
- Has cultivars Yes