Where to buy mature trees?

[BelieveInCher]

We are looking to purchase a mature magnolia within the next year and I have no idea where to look. Most online retailers seem to sell saplings but we want something a bit more established so we don’t have to wait a decade to enjoy it! Any suggestions?

What type of magnolia do you want, and what size?

Where are you based? There's a place in West Sussex near Pulborough called Architectural Plants

Majestic Trees also excellent.

Black tulip, and something more established than a shrub/sapling.

A big endorsement for Majestic Trees here also. It’s a great place to visit just for a wander round as well if you’re able to get to Herts. Some amazing specimens (the biggest not cheap, mind!), and beautifully kept.

We’re in Yorkshire so they would have to deliver.

Ooh this looks great! Thanks!

Remember to factor in the costs of machinery to dig the hole and lift the tree from the roadside to your garden . And of course dispose of the waste ( unless your garden is big enough ) .

You can have our Copper Beech!
Seriously though, I'm interested in this too as I'd love a small but established Weeping Willow, so following with interest.

Is there not one in a local park you could take at night?

Wow that is amazing!

I’ve ordered from Paramount Plants before and been happy with what arrived - can’t vouch for how others have found them.

Haha imagine! I’ve been lusting after a black tulip magnolia for years and can finally have one now that we’ve moved, it has to be this specific tree but I don’t want to wait years to actually be able to enjoy it in all its glory. I’ve spent too long waiting already!

Thankfully the garden is a decent size, and we already have plans for where the additional soil will go. Magnolias don’t get too big anyway even at full height.

You're not looking at a great time of year for tree planting. E.g. Burncoose won't have them until September earliest, and I expect a lot won't advertise what larger sizes they'll have until they're sure, after the growing season.

https://www.burncoose.co.uk/site/plants.cfm?pl_id=4976

Barcham sells in that size but you'd likely have to contact them to ask https://www.barcham.co.uk/

Some magnolias like shelter, so make sure it will be happy in your Yorkshire garden .

This is definitely for future planning, looking at spring next year at the earliest, have more to do on the garden before then!

I have been wondering about that, originally I wanted it right in the centre of the garden so I can always see it but it might be better against a fence. We are also growing a willow sapling so that might be better in the central spot. A neighbour has a magnolia at the front of their house which is doing well but it’s against a wall. It does get very windy here.

Planting season ends in March (starting in November) - I’d google specialist nurseries - you’ll likely need to pre order
you can obtain out of season if containerised but you’ll pay a LOT more money and will need a robust watering scheme in place

It’s really beautiful, I can see why you want one. RHS says it grows 8-12 M High and 4-8 M girth, so it’s too big for me ☹️

I have a Magnolia Stellata ( standard ) and a M. Leonard Messel ( MS ) which are much smaller, mine are only about 2.5 M and 3M .

https://www.rhs.org.uk/plants/287492/magnolia-black-tulip-(-jurmag1-pbr)/details

Are you sure you want to look at it all year round ? IMHO Magnolias are not the most beautiful of trees when they are not in flower.

I guess it depends if your border next to the fence can take a tree that’s 4 + m wide. You don’t want to cramp its style 😬

Yeah I love their drama over the seasons, how they look so barren and desolate over winter and then bloom out of nowhere, it’s what attracts me to them!

Vertigrow near York may be able to help you - give them a ring first.

Ideally, you want to order it in the next couple of months so you can spend the time between then & delivery preparing the ground. Then have it planted in Sept/Oct so it can settle in over winter.
Be prepared to do a LOT of watering!

Nice but my god very expensive.