Virginia Tech Dendrology

Fraser magnolia Magnoliaceae Magnolia fraseri Walter symbol: MAFR
Leaf: Alternate, simple, quite large, 8 to 12 inches long, with "ear-lobes" at the base, margin entire, typically widest near the middle, green and shiny above, dull, paler and smooth below, often crowded near the ends of twigs.
Flower: Species is monoecious; very large and showy, with several creamy white petals (3 to 5 inches long), unpleasant odor, appearing with the leaves.
Fruit: Cone-like, 3 to 4 inches long, bright red when mature, later turning dark brown, individual seeds bright red, mature in fall.
Twig: Stout, purplish brown, with a large leaf scar; terminal bud is large (1 inch), smooth and purplish brown.
Bark: Thin, grayish brown to brown, splotchy, later developing scaly plates.
Form: Small tree (30 to 50 feet tall) with a straight trunk that often grows in clumps.
Looks like: pyramid magnolia - umbrella magnolia - bigleaf magnolia - cucumbertree

Additional Range Information: Magnolia fraseri is native to North America. Range may be expanded by planting. Download the full-size PDF map.
More Information: Wood
External Links: USDAFS Silvics of North America - USDA Plants Database - USDAFS Forest Products Lab
All material 2025 Virginia Tech Dept. of Forest Resources and Environmental Conservation; Photos and text by: John Seiler, Edward Jensen, Alex Niemiera, and John Peterson; Silvics reprinted from Ag Handbook 654; range map source information