Saucer Magnolia Pink Buds Appear - Close to Bloom - April 2025

The multi-trunk Saucer Magnolia tree is getting ready to put on its annual Spring flower show.  And, after the harsh (at times) Winter, we're seeing a great sign:  pink flower buds have emerged from their fuzzy shells and are putting on size ahead of their full bloom.

Below is a photo of one of the pink flower buds on the Saucer Magnolia tree tips.  

This is three-and-a-half weeks later than the same pink buds emerged in 2024 - just over a year ago.  

That was earlier than normal.  And this year - mid-April - is more in line with historical timing for this flowering tree.  

2025 - Flower buds emerged in mid-April.  

2024 - Flowers emerged in mid-March.  Peaked first week of April.
2023 - Mid-April peak-Magnolia bloom
2022 - Late-April 2022: Peak-Magnolia at end of month
2021 - Mid-April 2021: In bloom by mid-month (April).
2020 - Early April 2020: Blooms began the first week of April.
2019 - The tree did NOT bloom at all.
2018 - Early May 2018: Didn't bloom until early/mid May 2018.

This tree was planted in 2017, so this year marks the ninth growing season (seven full, one partial) and it was planted as a six-or-so-foot tree in Summer 2017. 

This Spring, the tree is FULL of branches and pink-covered tips.  Below is a photo of the tree as it stands in Spring 2025.  It is starting to widen-out and the trunks are starting to thicken-up:

Comparing the tree as it stands today to what it looked like when it was planted is striking.  Below is a side-by-side photo.  On the left is current day.  On the right is the week it was planted.  Big difference.  

I'll look to treat this tree for Scale this Summer, after the blooms disappear.