Magnolia acuminata

Identifying Features

Cucumber magnolia trees are medium in size, growing up to 80 feet tall.

Their bark is dark brown and furrowed.

Leaves of this tree are alternate and simple. They are 4 to 10 inches long, egg-shaped, and shiny. In the fall, they turn yellow to red.

Habitat & Range

The cucumber magnolia grows in moist soils throughout much of the eastern United States. It’s native range also stretches north into Canada. It is often planted for landscaping.

Life Cycle

The fruit of this tree is cucumber-shaped with red seeds.

Featured image by James Dake.