Southern Magnolia (Magnolia grandiflora), also known as the bull bay, is a tree of the family Magnoliaceae native to the southeastern United States, from southeastern North Carolina to central Florida, and west to East Texas. Reaching 27.5 meters (90 ft) in height, it is a large, striking evergreen tree with large dark green leaves up to 20 centimeters (7 3⁄4 in) long and 12 centimeters (4 3⁄4 in) wide, and large, white, fragrant flowers up to 30 centimeters (12 in) in diameter. Although endemic to the lowland subtropical forests on the Gulf and south Atlantic coastal plain, magnolia grandiflora is widely cultivated in warmer areas around the world. The timber is hard and heavy, and has been used commercially to make furniture, pallets, and veneer.
If Trees Could Sing…
Click here to see Kathy Mattea talk about one of her favorite trees. Video courtesy of The Nature Conservancy and Kathy Mattea.
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Photos taken at Old Town June 2021 and 2022.