Magnolia virginiana
Sweetbay Magnolia, Swamp Magnolia, Swamp-bay

Mature Height: 30-100'     Longevity: 125 years

5-9 Water Range
Soil moisture tolerated by tree

5-9 Temperature Range
Hardiness Zones in which tree naturally occurs.

DEFENSE     Soil Moisture Key
5: All descriptions indicate tree is found on wet soils. Hydric indicator is FACW+.

9: While most of flood tolerances are listed as "Moderate" most references indicate presence in swamps & other frequently flooded locations.

DEFENSE (from Distribution Maps)
National Audubon Society (NAS) Map: (NORTH) Solid Z7 w/ perhaps one small community in Z6 in PA. (SOUTH) Solid throughout all of FL into Z10.

Peterson Field Guide (PFG) Map: Same as NAS.

3   Sun Strength

5   Shade Strength

DEFENSE
Growth Rate:
Succession:
Soil Range:
Salt Tol.:
Allelopath:
Avg Height:
Max Height:

Click here for Key
3.7 = Slow to Moderate*
-.4 = Climax Specialist
0 = 1 Major & 2 Minor
-.2 = Susceptible
0 = No
-.1 = 50'
0 = 100'

DEFENSE
Shade Tol.:
Succession:
Soil Range:
Salt Tol.:
Allelopath:
Avg Height:
Longevity:

Click here for Key
5 = Intermediate
+.7 = Climax Specialist
0 = 1 Major & 2 Minor
-.2 = Susceptible
0 = No
-.1 = 50'
-.3 = 125 yrs

TOTAL SCORE (3.0): Fire Effects (FEIS) database & Silvics Manual list slow growth rates however the 20 year height listed with the NRCS Plants database suggests a slightly faster growth rate. Initial growth rate value between slow & moderate. With little effect of other variables & presence of tree in late seral & climax communities a 3 seems appropriate.

TOTAL SCORE (5.1): Only NRCS Plants database lists tree as tolerant, other references indicate only moderate or intermediate shade tolerance. 125 years reasonable max based on 80 yr FSA average. Score indicates tree only effective climax tree on very wet sites or sites prone to fire & wind disturbance.

4   Fire Strength

3   Wind Strength

DEFENSE
Base Score: Moderate (Big Tree) = 3-4
Other(can be shrubby-) Consistently identified as fire resistant on account of corky bark, fact that tree is small (shrub in northern extent of range) will not assign highest value.
Final Value = 4

DEFENSE
Base Score: ???
No indication of windthrow & trunk snappage as being a problem although trunk can be relatively thin. Wood is weak but tree in much of its range does not grow very tall. Most significant presence in hurricane prone coastal plain. Will assign average value.
Final Value = 3