Southern Magnolia Sheds Leaves And Does Not Fully Leaf Out

Question From: S. Custis - Shreveport, Louisiana, United States
Q: I have a Southern Magnolia I dug up from a customer's yard and transplanted to my yard. It did really well for a few months but then began shedding its leaves. It did begin putting out new growth but has never fully leafed out again. I gave it some iron thinking the soil was not providing enough nutrients, but is still just doesn't look that great. What am I doing wrong?

A: Water, what it really needs is water. The tree lost most of it's roots so you need to water it every other day or daily if it gets hot. If it has lost most of its leaves its probably a goner. But what the heck, keep watering and see what happens. Best And Happy Yardening, Nancy