1. Planting: Choose a location away from cement sidewalks or driveways. If possible, pick a spot on the Northside of your yard with a safe distance from the house. This will enable the maximum exposure to the sun, resulting in more blossoms.

Choose a site that is rich in organic matter and drains well. If desired, you can add compost into the planting hole and mix with soil. The hole should be dug slightly larger than the root system of the plant, 2 to 3 times the width and just as deep as the root ball. Position the tree in the ground and mix the soil with the compost. Hold the tree straight as you begin to back fill the hole, tamping down as you go to prevent air pockets from forming and then water to settle the soil. Apply some mulch after planting to moderate soil temperatures and moisture conditions.

2. Watering: Water the Sweetbay frequently during the root system’s early development, then periodically as necessary (in the first couple of growing seasons, water twice weekly or check the surrounding soil for dryness). Water just beyond the branch line to reach the full extent of the roots.

3. Fertilizing: You can feed your tree if new growth is noticeably slow. Use a controlled-release fertilizer formula, and be sure to follow the application instructions on the bottle for optimum effectiveness.

4. Pruning: Prune your Magnolia at the first sign of any dead leaves, branches or flowers. When pruning, remove the branch down to its base. Prune your tree to maintain the required shape as well as to keep the rapid growth of branches under control. Prune the lower branches as necessary as the tree grows.