Pest identification
What's eating my kobus magnolia?
Horse chestnut scale (Pulvinaria regalis)
Signs: White egg masses and brown scale on stems; heavy infestations weaken branches
Control: Horticultural oil spray in late winter; remove isolated scale by hand on young trees
Vine weevil (Otiorhynchus sulcatus)
Signs: Notched leaf margins; root damage from grubs in container-grown young trees
Control: Nematode drench in late summer for containerised specimens; plant out as soon as possible to reduce risk
Aphids
Signs: Sticky honeydew on new growth; sooty mould and minor leaf distortion on shoot tips
Control: Water jet or insecticidal soap; usually managed by natural predators on established trees
Keep kobus magnolia pest-free
Healthy plants resist pests best. Get the basics right:
Kobus Magnolia pests — FAQ
What is eating my kobus magnolia?
Kobus Magnolia is a large, vigorous tree that generally shrugs off most pests. Scale insects and aphids can occur on younger trees, and vine weevil may damage roots of container-grown saplings. Deer occasionally browse young specimens. Once established in the ground, Kobus magnolia rarely suffers serious pest damage.
How do I get rid of horse chestnut scale (pulvinaria regalis) on kobus magnolia?
White egg masses and brown scale on stems; heavy infestations weaken branches Horticultural oil spray in late winter; remove isolated scale by hand on young trees
How do I get rid of vine weevil (otiorhynchus sulcatus) on kobus magnolia?
Notched leaf margins; root damage from grubs in container-grown young trees Nematode drench in late summer for containerised specimens; plant out as soon as possible to reduce risk
How do I get rid of aphids on kobus magnolia?
Sticky honeydew on new growth; sooty mould and minor leaf distortion on shoot tips Water jet or insecticidal soap; usually managed by natural predators on established trees