Pest identification
What's eating my star magnolia?
Magnolia scale (Neolecanium cornuparvum)
Signs: Large, oval, pinkish-white waxy bumps on stems and branches; copious honeydew triggers black sooty mould; heavily infested branches lose vigour and may die back.
Control: Spray with horticultural oil in late summer when crawlers are active, or in late winter as a dormant oil. Prune and dispose of severely encrusted branches. Systemic insecticides can be used in spring.
Slugs and snails
Signs: Ragged holes and scalloped edges on soft new leaves in spring; mucus trails visible.
Control: Use wildlife-safe iron phosphate pellets around the base. Lay copper tape collars on pots. Handpick at night. Encourage ground beetles and hedgehogs.
Deer
Signs: Flower buds and young shoots are browsed in late autumn and winter, dramatically reducing the spring display.
Control: Protect young trees with tree guards or fencing. Apply deer repellent spray monthly through the dormant season.
Aphids
Signs: Soft colonies on young shoot tips in spring, causing mild leaf curl and sticky honeydew.
Control: Blast off with a strong water jet. Attract beneficial insects; spray insecticidal soap only if infestations are severe.
Keep star magnolia pest-free
Healthy plants resist pests best. Get the basics right:
Star Magnolia pests — FAQ
What is eating my star magnolia?
Star Magnolia is most seriously damaged by magnolia scale, a large soft-scale insect specific to the genus. Slugs and snails can shred young leaves, and deer browse the flower buds and new growth eagerly in winter. Aphids cluster on soft spring shoots but rarely cause lasting harm.
How do I get rid of magnolia scale (neolecanium cornuparvum) on star magnolia?
Large, oval, pinkish-white waxy bumps on stems and branches; copious honeydew triggers black sooty mould; heavily infested branches lose vigour and may die back. Spray with horticultural oil in late summer when crawlers are active, or in late winter as a dormant oil. Prune and dispose of severely encrusted branches. Systemic insecticides can be used in spring.
How do I get rid of slugs and snails on star magnolia?
Ragged holes and scalloped edges on soft new leaves in spring; mucus trails visible. Use wildlife-safe iron phosphate pellets around the base. Lay copper tape collars on pots. Handpick at night. Encourage ground beetles and hedgehogs.
How do I get rid of deer on star magnolia?
Flower buds and young shoots are browsed in late autumn and winter, dramatically reducing the spring display. Protect young trees with tree guards or fencing. Apply deer repellent spray monthly through the dormant season.
How do I get rid of aphids on star magnolia?
Soft colonies on young shoot tips in spring, causing mild leaf curl and sticky honeydew. Blast off with a strong water jet. Attract beneficial insects; spray insecticidal soap only if infestations are severe.