What's eating my magnolia 'elizabeth'?

Magnolia 'Elizabeth' is generally healthy but vulnerable to magnolia scale, which can build up unnoticed on smooth bark. Aphids may colonise soft spring growth, and rabbits or deer will bark-strip or browse young specimens in the first few years. Thrips occasionally damage flowers, causing brown-edged petals.

Rounded, waxy bumps on twigs and young bark; heavy honeydew drip leading to sooty mould; branch dieback Spray with horticultural oil at the crawler stage in late summer; use a dormant oil application in early spring; prune out badly infested shoots

Clusters of green or black insects on new growth in spring; distorted shoot tips; sticky residue on leaves below Encourage natural predators; use a strong water jet to dislodge; apply neem oil or insecticidal soap as a targeted spray

Bark stripping on trunks of young trees in winter; browse damage to low branches and flower buds Fit spiral tree guards or tall wire cages around young trunks; apply deer repellent spray; fence newly planted specimens for the first 3–5 years

Silver-brown streaking or brown petal edges on flowers; fine stippling on young leaves Remove affected flowers promptly; reflective mulch can deter adults; insecticidal soap targets nymphs; avoid over-application of nitrogen fertiliser