Magnolia Tree Seed Pods With A Bonus

@CarolDM (203422)

Nashville, Tennessee

October 5, 2022 3:04pm CST

Each fall, the Magnolia tree has these bright red seed pods. Depending on what type of tree you have, some of these seeds could be propagated to growing more trees. Before you go to the trouble of harvesting magnolia seed pods, try to determine whether the tree you have is a hybrid. You may not be able to tell that you have made a mistake until 10 to 15 years after you plant the seed when the new tree produces its first flowers. So, for that reason, I have been happy with having just one Magnolia tree. It always has the bright green shiny leaves, year round. Funny thing happened when I was photographing these pods yesterday, these stink bugs were looking back at me. On the left was a seed pod with no bugs, but the right one has three. These seeds attract many birds and insects. I often find them in the bird bath. The birds leave me a gift from time to time. More about these bugs in a later post. Do you have stink bugs in your world? They can get inside your home when the weather is cool. But they don't seem to bother anything that I know of. Some farmers have issues with them eating the crops. That is all that I know about. Regardless about the bugs, I really enjoy the Southern Magnolia tree. The big white blooms are nice in the spring. Butterflies and hummingbirds enjoy the blooms too. Photo is mine.

33 people like this

32 responses

@RebeccasFarm (90294)

• Arvada, Colorado

6 Oct 22

We do have stink bugs and I have smelled them ewww

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@RebeccasFarm (90294)

• Arvada, Colorado

6 Oct 22

@CarolDM I remember them as a child Carol..maybe they are not called that..but I remember in the Ozarks these bugs and lots of them on the trees or what have you and we could smell them..

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@CarolDM (203422)

• Nashville, Tennessee

6 Oct 22

@RebeccasFarm You are probably correct. I have seen them for years in the garden.

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@CarolDM (203422)

• Nashville, Tennessee

6 Oct 22

I have never noticed a smell. I just enjoy seeing the seeds on the tree.

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@shaggin (72184)

• United States

5 Oct 22

Oh gosh I’m glad I don’t have a tree like that. It looks so gross to me I feel like I’ve lost my appetite

.

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@shaggin (72184)

• United States

5 Oct 22

@CarolDM nope the bugs didn’t bother me the plant did. The weirdest things gross me out.

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@CarolDM (203422)

• Nashville, Tennessee

5 Oct 22

You are kidding, what is so gross about it? The bugs I guess. They don't bother you. And they are on all kinds of plants in the yard and garden. I love my magnolia tree.

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@CarolDM (203422)

• Nashville, Tennessee

5 Oct 22

@shaggin Oh, well sorry about that.

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@Marilynda1225 (83074)

• United States

6 Oct 22

Yes we have stink bugs here and occasionally one will get in the house. Interesting about your magnolia tree.

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@Marilynda1225 (83074)

• United States

6 Oct 22

@CarolDM We don't have any pretty trees here in my community. All we have are fir trees which are used for privacy and a few other trees along the sidewalk, but I don't know what kind they are. It would be so nice if we had colorful trees here

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@CarolDM (203422)

• Nashville, Tennessee

6 Oct 22

Thanks. I love the tree. The blooms are pretty in the spring.

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@CarolDM (203422)

• Nashville, Tennessee

6 Oct 22

@Marilynda1225 I wish you could have at least one of your own to enjoy. But privacy is nice too.

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@JudyEv (341752)

• Rockingham, Australia

6 Oct 22

I've never seen these pods on magnolia trees. I guess I don't look hard enough. Some plants grown from seeds can take ages to mature and fruit - or flower.

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@JudyEv (341752)

• Rockingham, Australia

6 Oct 22

@CarolDM They have a lot of magnolias in Melbourne so perhaps I'll see some pods when we visit, possibly at Christmas.

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@JudyEv (341752)

• Rockingham, Australia

7 Oct 22

@CarolDM Thanks for the photo. It's a lovely shaped tree.

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@CarolDM (203422)

• Nashville, Tennessee

6 Oct 22

These are easy to see. They are a bright red and appear each fall. First the pod is green in late spring, then turns pink the later it gets in the season, then the pods break open.

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@Ronrybs (19588)

• London, England

6 Oct 22

Heard of Stink Bugs, but don't think we have them over here, least ways haven't come across any... so far!

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@Ronrybs (19588)

• London, England

11 Oct 22

@CarolDM Not native, but there are probably some in specialised gardens. Kew springs to mind

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@CarolDM (203422)

• Nashville, Tennessee

12 Oct 22

@Ronrybs They are very popular in this area.

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@CarolDM (203422)

• Nashville, Tennessee

6 Oct 22

What about the magnolia tree? Do you have those?

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@RubyHawk (99405)

• Atlanta, Georgia

5 Oct 22

Magnolia trees are so pretty. I know I used to see stink bugs but I can’t remember what they looked like.

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@RubyHawk (99405)

• Atlanta, Georgia

6 Oct 22

@CarolDM magnolias are about the prettiest tree there is.

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@CarolDM (203422)

• Nashville, Tennessee

5 Oct 22

Thanks. I really enjoy the tree. The bugs don't bother me.

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@CarolDM (203422)

• Nashville, Tennessee

6 Oct 22

@RubyHawk I have to agree.

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@youless (112561)

• Guangzhou, China

6 Oct 22

This is my first time to see this plant. It seems that its fruits are very delicious

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@youless (112561)

• Guangzhou, China

8 Oct 22

@CarolDM Your information is quite useful for me

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@CarolDM (203422)

• Nashville, Tennessee

8 Oct 22

@youless That is great. Glad to help.

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@CarolDM (203422)

• Nashville, Tennessee

6 Oct 22

This is the seed pod is from the tree. The actual tree is over 25 feet tall. The fruits are eating by insects and birds. It is poisonous to humans.

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@ptrikha_2 (47064)

• India

6 Oct 22

Quite a nice information! The Bright red seed pods look so shiny and attractive. Are these something edible by humans or something that animals eat more? Have a nice Thursday!

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@CarolDM (203422)

• Nashville, Tennessee

6 Oct 22

Thanks. I am sure they are not edible for humans only insects and birds. Pretty for us to look at.

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@ptrikha_2 (47064)

• India

8 Oct 22

@CarolDM And better not to give a try in eating them !

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@allknowing (137553)

• India

6 Oct 22

The seeds look better than the flower I bet

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@allknowing (137553)

• India

6 Oct 22

@CarolDM I can imagine their beauty

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@CarolDM (203422)

• Nashville, Tennessee

6 Oct 22

I love those white saucer-sized blooms. Hard to beat the view when the tree is covered in the spring.

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@CarolDM (203422)

• Nashville, Tennessee

7 Oct 22

@allknowing I always share them in the spring.

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@jobelbojel (36027)

• Philippines

5 Oct 22

We don't have it here, in my yard, that I know. Glad I don't have to make that mistake.

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@jobelbojel (36027)

• Philippines

7 Oct 22

@CarolDM the mistake - to identify if the tree is a hybrid.

@CarolDM (203422)

• Nashville, Tennessee

5 Oct 22

What mistake? I love this tree. The bugs do not bother me.

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@CarolDM (203422)

• Nashville, Tennessee

7 Oct 22

@jobelbojel Oh I get it now. You are right.

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Lenore Plassman

@sallypup (61569)

• Centralia, Washington

5 Oct 22

I've not seen that tree before. It's very pretty. Thanks for the photo.

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Lenore Plassman

@sallypup (61569)

• Centralia, Washington

5 Oct 22

@CarolDM I've seen live oak and Spanish moss when I visited Savannah and Beaufort but not the seed pods like you have here. I look for botanical stuff when I visit places. And wrought iron. Can't get enough of that!

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@CarolDM (203422)

• Nashville, Tennessee

5 Oct 22

@sallypup These red seeds always appear in the fall. I still want to visit Savannah one day.

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Lenore Plassman

@sallypup (61569)

• Centralia, Washington

6 Oct 22

@CarolDM We stayed in a gorgeous B and B when we visited Savannah. The tourist trolleys are a fun way to get around town.

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@magallon (19279)

• Philippines

8 Oct 22

It is my first time to see such fruit

I think we do not have magnolia tree here.

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@magallon (19279)

• Philippines

9 Oct 22

@CarolDM how does it tastes and how do you eat it? i'm just curious

@CarolDM (203422)

• Nashville, Tennessee

9 Oct 22

@magallon Poisonous. For the birds. I don't eat anything in my yard.

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@CarolDM (203422)

• Nashville, Tennessee

8 Oct 22

Probably not in your part of the world.

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@Neil43 (3363)

•

6 Oct 22

They look beautiful. Are they edible?

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@CarolDM (203422)

• Nashville, Tennessee

6 Oct 22

Only by birds and insects.

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@CarolDM (203422)

• Nashville, Tennessee

6 Oct 22

@Neil43 They are poisonous.

@Neil43 (3363)

•

6 Oct 22

@CarolDM They look edible,

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@MrDenata (12262)

• Indonesia

6 Oct 22

Carol, thats beautiful foto. Youre good at doing this, tho. Have a great day, Carol

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@CarolDM (203422)

• Nashville, Tennessee

6 Oct 22

You are very kind. I enjoy the nature all around especially in my yard. Enjoy your day as well.

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@CarolDM (203422)

• Nashville, Tennessee

6 Oct 22

@MrDenata Very welcome.

@MrDenata (12262)

• Indonesia

6 Oct 22

@CarolDM i will, thank you so much

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@FourWalls (68902)

• United States

6 Oct 22

Yes, I have stink bugs up here, but thankfully they haven’t “stunk” me….yet. Those are beautiful seeds.

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@FourWalls (68902)

• United States

6 Oct 22

@CarolDM — I’m sure we do, because I show an allergy to them.

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@CarolDM (203422)

• Nashville, Tennessee

6 Oct 22

Do you have magnolia trees up there?

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@Juliaacv (51471)

• Canada

5 Oct 22

It looks quite pretty, so bright and vivid. We never had a magnolia tree.

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@Juliaacv (51471)

• Canada

6 Oct 22

@CarolDM Our first home that we lived in we had a neighbour across the street from us that had a magnolia tree. Neither of us had seen one up close before, and we were taken back by the beauty of the tree when it was in full bloom. We were also taken back by the mess that it made on the lawn after the blooms were done, more my hubs then I actually. I don't know if the Southern Magnolia tree is messy like that or not, but it just requires a little extra work but worth it for the blooms and that beautiful scent.

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@CarolDM (203422)

• Nashville, Tennessee

6 Oct 22

@Juliaacv They are beautiful for sure. Mine have the large white saucer-sized blooms. The men don't like these due to the large leaves that fall on the lawn. I pick them up when I can. The hummingbirds and butterflies really enjoy the blooms.

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@CarolDM (203422)

• Nashville, Tennessee

5 Oct 22

Thanks. I love seeing these red seeds. They are all over the tree. Many of us southerners enjoy this tree. Southern Magnolia is the actaul name of this one. Very popular here.

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@TheHorse (220116)

• Walnut Creek, California

6 Oct 22

I don't think I have them here. Stink bugs either.

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@CarolDM (203422)

• Nashville, Tennessee

6 Oct 22

The trees are mostly southern. Mine is called a Southern Magnolia with huge while saucer-sized blooms in the spring.

@Dena91 (16692)

• United States

7 Oct 22

Yes, we have stink bugs. I read somewhere that they were released to combat the ladybug population which was being destructive a few years ago. I'd rather have ladybugs than stick bugs. There are some magnolia trees around here but I don't recall seeing the pods on them. I'll have to look closer when I am out and about. Have a blessed evening.

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@CarolDM (203422)

• Nashville, Tennessee

7 Oct 22

These pods appear in the fall. I enjoy the red color. You too Dena.

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Anindita Sengupta

@aninditasen (16505)

• Raurkela, India

6 Oct 22

The pods look so attractive. Beautiful plant.

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Anindita Sengupta

@aninditasen (16505)

• Raurkela, India

7 Oct 22

@CarolDM Wow! The lovely lush green tree and field.

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@CarolDM (203422)

• Nashville, Tennessee

7 Oct 22

@aninditasen That is my yard. Thanks.

@thelme55 (77168)

• Germany

6 Oct 22

Those pods are looking beautiful though I don’t think I would like to have those bugs in them. I have never seen that tree in my life yet.

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@thelme55 (77168)

• Germany

6 Oct 22

@CarolDM Beautiful

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@CarolDM (203422)

• Nashville, Tennessee

6 Oct 22

@thelme55 Thanks so much.

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