Magnolia tripetala (L), umbrella magnolia, is a favorite tree for many visitors to Secrest Arboretum. The species has a long history in the arboretum collection, with the best-known specimens formerly located in a grove in what is now the Buckeye Forest. This grove, planted in 1957, once held the state champion Magnolia tripetala. Those trees, destroyed in the 2010 tornado, were the marvel of countless children and adults. The large leaves, 10-24” long and 6-10” wide, are arranged in whorl-like clusters at the tips of the branches, giving the appearance of an umbrella. In fact, the common name, umbrella magnolia or umbrella tree, has been in use since the tree was first described in the 1700’s.
Magnolia tripetala is native to the eastern United States, mainly in the unglaciated Alleghany Plateau. It can be found growing in four counties in southern Ohio. In its native range the tree grows in deep moist forests, often along streams and flood plains. The large white flowers, 6-10” wide, are malodorous (pointing to beetle pollination) and appear in early May most years. The flowers are followed by a cylindrical cone-shaped fruit (an aggregate of follicles) which turns scarlet in September, adding to the beauty of the tree. William Bean claims that the fruit are the most beautiful of any magnolia, to which we would agree. With large leaves and large flowers, one might also expect this to be a large tree. However, the species reaches maturity at 30 feet. This native species has performed well at Secrest, looks great in all seasons, and is a 2026 Secrest Select plant.
It has been noted that unlike other magnolia species, Magnolia tripetala has wood that is foul smelling when broken. Moreover, the wood is spongy and easily broken—perhaps this is why no Native American uses for the tree are recorded. Author Mrs. M. Grieve in her 1931 book stated, “the bark, if chewed as a substitute for tobacco, is said to cure the habit.”
There are several magnolia tripetalas planted throughout the arboretum. One notable specimen greets visitors to Secrest just east of the welcome center. This tree has been quite the botanical mystery for us. We received the tree as Magnolia obovata. However, after Jason saw native stands of M. obovata in Japan in 2024, he realized that our tree was not M. obovata but perhaps M. tripetala. Recently he noted that the tree displays intermediate characteristics of both species (the nursery we purchased the tree from has both species planted next to each other) and is the hybrid Magnolia × pruhoniciana, the Průhonice magnolia. Make sure you include this plant in your next visit to Secrest!
–Paul Snyder, Operations Manager snyder.1062@osu.edu