Carolina Nature

Trees, Shrubs, and Woody Vines of North Carolina

Fraser Magnolia (Magnolia fraseri)

Plantae>Magnoliophyta>Magnoliopsida>Magnoliales>Magnoliaceae>Magnolia fraseri Walter

Fraser Magnolia (Magnolia fraseri)

Fraser Magnolia is a common deciduous medium-sized to large tree native to the southern Appalachians. The large, simple, tropical-looking leaves have auriculate (earlobe-shaped) bases. Large creamy-white flowers appear from late April to early May, depending on elevation.

Haywood Co., NC 5/10/08.

Fraser Magnolia (Magnolia fraseri)

Fraser Magnolia is similar to the more widespread Umbrella-Tree (M. tripetala), which never gets very large and lacks the earlobes. The rare Bigleaf Magnolia (M. macrophylla) has auriculate leaf bases, but is smaller and has much larger leaves.

Alternate common names include Mountain Magnolia, Earleaf Magnolia, and Earleaf Umbrella-tree

The tree at left is about 70 feet tall, one of many large Fraser Magnolia trees in this area.

Carroll Co., VA 10/16/06.

Fraser Magnolia (Magnolia fraseri)

Leaves are normally about 12 inches long and broadest above the middle.

Carroll Co., VA 5/10/09.

Fraser Magnolia (Magnolia fraseri)

Emerging leaves.

Carroll Co., VA 4/26/08.

Fraser Magnolia (Magnolia fraseri)

Emerging flowers.

Carroll Co., VA 4/26/08.

Fraser Magnolia (Magnolia fraseri)

Huge creamy-white flowers cover the trees in early-mid May.

Carroll Co., VA 5/10/09.

Fraser Magnolia (Magnolia fraseri)

A flower just about to open.

Carroll Co., VA 5/10/09.

Fraser Magnolia (Magnolia fraseri)

An opening flower, with mature flower in background.

Carroll Co., VA 5/10/09.

Fraser Magnolia (Magnolia fraseri)

Carroll Co., VA 5/10/09.

Fraser Magnolia (Magnolia fraseri)

A fully-opened flower.

Carroll Co., VA 5/10/09.

Fraser Magnolia (Magnolia fraseri)

The spectacular sweetly fragrant flowers are similar to those of the evergreen Southern Magnolia. These were photographed near milepost 202 of the Blue Ridge Parkway, where large Fraser Magnolia trees are very common.

Carroll Co., VA 5/10/09.

Fraser Magnolia (Magnolia fraseri)

Fraser Magnolia is found in a few sheltered locations in the Piedmont, such as here in a north-facing ravine at Hanging Rock State Park.

Hanging Rock, Stokes Co., NC 6/14/2009.

Fraser Magnolia (Magnolia fraseri)

Developing fruit.

Hanging Rock, Stokes Co., NC 6/14/2009.

Fraser Magnolia (Magnolia fraseri)

Hanging Rock, Stokes Co., NC 6/14/2009.

Fraser Magnolia (Magnolia fraseri)

In fall the leaves quickly turn pale green, yellow, then brown.

Carroll Co., VA 10/16/06.

Fraser Magnolia (Magnolia fraseri)

Carroll Co., VA 10/16/06.

Fraser Magnolia (Magnolia fraseri)

Bark of a small tree. Like that of most other Magnolias, the bark is somewhat smoothish, but covered with warty lenticels.

Carroll Co., VA 10/16/06.

Fraser Magnolia (Magnolia fraseri)

Bark of a large tree.

Carroll Co., VA 10/16/06.

Fraser Magnolia (Magnolia fraseri)

Large tree with remnants of old wounds made by a Yellow-bellied Sapsucker.

Carroll Co., VA 10/16/06.

Fraser Magnolia (Magnolia fraseri)

Trees are frequently multi-trunked. This is a large tree, with each trunk about 1.5 to 2 feet in diameter.

Carroll Co., VA 10/16/06.

Fraser Magnolia (Magnolia fraseri)

An even larger multi-trunked tree, with cat for scale. Even though the large limb the cat is near blew down not long after this photo was taken, this is still the current state champion (129" circumference, 73' height, 61' spread).

Carroll Co., VA 10/16/06.

Fraser Magnolia (Magnolia fraseri) bark

Carroll Co., VA 4/11/10.

More information:
Bioimages
USFS Silvics Manual
Virginia Tech Dendrology

Recommended Tree, Shrub, and Woody Vine Identification Guides