Footsteps in the Forest

Umbrella Magnolia Tree

Magnolia tripetala

Height: To 40 feet, but generally smaller

Evergreen/Deciduous: Deciduous

Lifespan: Up to about 100 years in rare cases

Fall Foliage: Drab yellow to brown; not very attractive; the leaves frequently become tattered during the course of summer storms

Range: Scattered locations in the southern Appalachian region, as well as a disjunct population in Arkansas

Typical Habitat: Cool, damp, sheltered coves and riparian areas   

Umbrella magnolia tree leaf

The Umbrella Magnolia Tree: Lending a Tropical Feel to Temperate Forests   

The umbrella magnolia is certainly an attention-grabbing species. Indeed, it looks incredibly out of place growing alongside sweetgums (Liquidambar styraciflua), American beech trees (Fagus grandifolia) and other common associates.

Unfortunately, it’s not a terribly common tree anywhere, though it may be abundant in specific locations.

This species only grows well in sheltered coves, as the large leaves quickly become shredded from hard rain or high winds. This is often apparent during post-storm strolls through forests harboring these trees.

Umbrella Magnolia Identification: Tips & Tricks

The umbrella magnolia’s leaves, which are clustered at the ends of branches, make it easy to recognize this tree as a magnolia. And the leave’s gigantic size (occasionally reaching 24 inches) makes it easy to distinguish from most other magnolias, save for the bigleaf magnolia (Magnolia macrophylla).

However, it is relatively easy to distinguish from the bigleaf magnolia by simply noted the leaf bases: In the umbrella magnolia, the leaf bases are “V” shaped, while the bigleaf magnolia produces leaf bases that are shaped like the letter “B” (they’re sometimes described as being “eared” or “lobed” at the base).    

The Umbrella Magnolia: Additional Information

Need more information about these interesting trees? Check out some of our favorite umbrella magnolia resources:

  • Missouri Botanical Garden: General info about the umbrella magnolia tree along with an assortment of photographs.
  • North Carolina State Extension: A great resource that includes photographs, basic information, and a handy quick-reference table.
  • The Morton Arboretum: Primarily basic information about the species, but it also includes a variety of large, high-quality photographs of the plant’s anatomical structures.    

Footsteps in the Forest is reader-supported. When you purchase products via links on our site, we may receive a small commission.

Subscribe to Our Newsletter

Leave a Reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *