Cucumber Tree Magnolia

Magnolia acuminata

$16⁹⁵

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Understanding Plant Options

Nature Hills offers plants in two main formats:

Container Plants: Grown in pots with soil, sized by container volume and plant age
Bare Root Plants: Dormant plants without soil, sized by height measurements

Container Plant Sizes

Container sizes indicate plant age and growing capacity rather than liquid volume equivalents. Our containers follow industry-standard nursery "trade gallon" specifications, which differ from standard liquid gallon measurements.

Young Plants (6 months to 18 months old)

Container Size	Actual Volume	Metric Equivalent
2" x 2" x 3"	0.18 - 0.21 dry quarts	0.20 - 0.23 dry liters
4" Container	0.31 - 0.87 dry quarts	0.35 - 0.96 dry liters
4.5" Container	0.65 dry quarts	0.72 dry liters
6" Container	1.4 dry quarts	1.59 dry liters
1 Quart	1 dry quart	1.1 dry liters
5.5" Container	1.89 dry quarts	2.08 dry liters

Established Plants (18 months to 2.5 years old)

Container Size	Actual Volume	Metric Equivalent
2 Quart	2 dry quarts	2.2 dry liters
#1 Container	2.26 - 3.73 dry quarts	2.49 - 4.11 dry liters
5" x 5" x 12"	3.5 - 4.3 dry quarts	3.85 - 4.74 dry liters

Mature Plants (2-4 years old)

Container Size	Actual Volume	Metric Equivalent
#2 Container	1.19 - 1.76 dry gallons	5.24 - 7.75 dry liters
#3 Container	2.15 - 2.76 dry gallons	8.14 - 12.16 dry liters

Large Plants (3-5 years old)

Container Size	Actual Volume	Metric Equivalent
#5 Container	2.92 - 4.62 dry gallons	12.86 - 20.35 dry liters
#6 Container	5.25 - 6.01 dry gallons	23.12 - 26.42 dry liters
#7 Container	5.98 - 6.53 dry gallons	26.34 - 28.76 dry liters

Bare Root Plants

Bare root plants are sold by height from the root system to the top of the plant. Plants may exceed minimum height requirements.

Common Sizes:

Trees: 1 foot, 2 feet, 3 feet, 4 feet, 5 feet, 6 feet
Shrubs & Perennials: 1 foot, 18 inches, 2 feet

Important Notes

Container Volume Specifications

Trade Gallon Standard: Our containers follow industry-standard "trade gallon" specifications established by the American National Standards Institute (ANSI Z60.1) for nursery stock
Volume Variations: Actual soil volume may vary due to plant root systems and growing medium settlement
Age Indicators: Container size primarily indicates plant age and maturity rather than liquid volume equivalents

Growing Conditions

Plant size can vary based on variety and growing conditions
Container size helps indicate plant maturity and establishment level
Larger containers generally mean more established root systems and faster landscape establishment

Seasonal Availability

Bare root plants are available seasonally when dormant
Container plants are available throughout the growing season
Specific varieties may have limited availability in certain sizes

Questions?

For questions about specific plant sizes or availability, please contact our plant experts who can help you choose the right size for your landscape needs.

Plant Highlights

Cucumber Tree Magnolia highlights at a glance!

Specifications

Brand

Nature Hills' Choice
Botanical Name

Magnolia acuminata
Growing Zones

4-8
Mature Height

50 - 70 feet
Mature Spread

35 - 40 feet
Sun Exposure

Full Sun, Partial Shade
Moisture

Moderate
Soil

Widely Adaptable
Growth Rate

Fast
Flower Color

Greenish-Yellow
Fall Color

Yellow
Pollinator Friendly

Yes
Fragrant

Yes
Pruning Time

After Flowering
Bloom Period

Early Spring

Growing Zones 4-8

Find Your Growing Zone!

Truly unique! The Cucumber Tree (Magnolia acuminata) is a little-known native Magnolia tree that has considerable landscape merit! It has a very regular, pyramidal form with a strong central leader as a young tree, and then becomes rounded with age.

Unlike most Magnolias, the flowers are not showy. The 2 to 3-inch perfect, slightly fragrant greenish-yellow flowers bloom high up on the tree in May to early June. Unlike other Magnolias, the Cucumber trees flowers emerge after the tree is in leaf so they are not very noticeable (but some of these variable native trees can be especially showy!). They blend into the foliage and may not be produced until the tree is fairly old. However, pollinators will seek out these blossoms for their native nectar and pollen!

The fruit looks somewhat like a small, bumpy, scaley cucumber and turns pinkish-red in late summer. Songbirds, squirrels, and mice eat the seeds! The flower buds and flowers are edible and may have provided a minor food source to First Nations and early settlers as well!

The Cucumber Tree is native primarily to the Appalachian belt and thrives throughout USDA planting zones 4 to 8, growing 50 - 70 feet tall and 35 - 40 feet wide at maturity. Like other members of the deciduous Magnolia family, Cucumber trees develop a great golden-yellow autumn tone once temperatures begin to drop.

Landscape Application:

With a medium to fast growth rate, the Cucumber Magnolia is an exceptional tree for large properties and native forest restoration projects! Not recommended as a street tree because of its extensive roots, however, the Cucumber Trees are excellent shade trees for parks and large gardens!

Disease and pest-free, the huge leaves cast lush shade over your seating areas and reduce cooling bills when planted by your home to block the hot summer sun. Groves and groupings of these trees shelter and feed a wide variety of songbirds and wildlife throughout the growing season!

Greenish-Yellow Slightly Scented Blooms
Large Green Leaves
Unique Native Tree
Cucumber-Like Bumpy Seedpods
Shade Trees, Parks & Native Plantings

#ProPlantTips for Care:

Cucumber Tree Magnolias tolerate a wide range of pH and prefers moist well-drained soil rich in organic matter in full sun to partial shade settings, even growing as an understory tree when young. Provide regular moisture for young trees, but once established, these trees become somewhat drought tolerant and easy to grow! Mulch the base of your tree well, not letting it touch the trunk, and prune your tree after the flowers fade.

Full Sun & Partial Shade
Well-Drained Rich Slightly-Acidic Soil
Moderate Regular Moisture
Prune After Flowering
Pest & Disease-Free

An easy-to-grow native tree, the Cucumber Magnolia Tree will be your ecologically sound choice for your pollinators and wildlife! Order now at NatureHills.com!