Magnolia Bush Issue

[Adamgrey80]

Hi! I have a beautiful magnolia bush (I think its a Star Magnolia?) that has been doing very well for two years (see attached "healthy" picture) until I replanted it 2 feet away from its original location 2 months ago. Now it is not doing great; it does have leaves but they are very small and they should be much fuller at this point in the season. There is also evidence of fungicide despite ongoing copper fungicide treatment for the past 1.5 years. It gets pretty much full sun and has well-draining, slightly wet, neutral soil. The mulch has been pulled back from the trunk but there is weed fabric over the drip line. Is it struggling just because of the transplant or might something else be going on? Will it revive next spring?

 

[RonsGarden]

Hi Adam!
Magnolias can be finicky!
One issue is that they resent having their roots system disturbed. They have a shallow root system, so damage can be easily done when moving them and working the soil around them.
Since your dug it up and cut off and damaged the root system it went into shock.
With a reduced root system it will only grow enough leaves to keep it alive....and it looks sad! Don't expect any lush growth this year.
Pruning it back a bit and removing some of the lower branches will more then likely help.
Here's some info that might help: They like evenly moist soil that is slightly on the acidic side. You will need to water often...especially for the rest of this year.
Use a fertilizer designed for acid loving plants.

Good luck!
Ron