Allotments 4 All

I have bought a magnolia stellata which is in a pot at the moment as I prepare the ground for it.  Last evening a saw a squirrel climbing right up it and eating the buds (presumably). I chased it off but this afternoon I noticed that one of the branches has been broken near the tip. More squirrel damage I assume. I dont know what to do! Squirrels are common in this area and I have always had them in garden but usually they only annoy the cats and not me. But I dont want to lose my new tree! I'm stumped. How can I keep them off the tree. Its only about two foot high. I'll be gutted if its destroyed by squirrels.  ???

Can you make a guard from chicken wire?

I have never heard squirrels being interested of magnolias..well for eating ::)
One of the gardens that I work for has several magnolias...and stellata's.. and resident squirels living in there too in quite numbers. And none of the mangnolias are affected by them. Only time I've seen any interest toward magnolia is when some of the larger species have had some seed pods on and then they've shown some interest towards the seeds..but certainly no damage as such.
???..I wonder if your squirels are just interested because it is something new rather than being edible. Try to leave few nuts about here and there in garden for a while to take their interest away from the new plant..maybe that would work?

Hi Sarah, and yes I remember this happening in my old garden in London. And infuriating doesn't begin to describe it!

What happened was that I saw that all the petals were on the floor under the tree, and couldn't work out why, until one day I saw a couple of squirrels at work, they were stripping the petals off to get at the parts inside - I guess they are scented and tasty to squirrels. They basically worked their way round the tree until they'd had their feast! They didn't eat the buds, only ate the flowers when fully opened. And then they would return to the garden in late summer and destroy the grapes on the vine!

My Magnolia was a fairly well grown specimen, and was too big to net. I had cats who would chase the squirrels, and on at least 1 occasion managed to catch them (they would leave presents for me in the bathroom....).

Where I am now, I don't have that problem, touch wood, as we don't have any squirrels in the gardens, so my precious, old, beautiful Magnolia can flower in peace, I just have to hope we don't get strong winds too early otherwise the flowers get well and truly knocked off!

What can you do about it? I honestly don't know. So sorry to not have any bright ideas or suggestions but I can commiserate.

1066  :)

Yes, all the flowers are off already.  ???
am going to have to think hard on this one. I dont think chicken wire will deter them unless its a totally enclosed cage, which will look horrid. I guess it will just have to take its chances. Its a real shame as I have been wanting to add a magnolia to my garden for a few years now and had considered most things with regard to conditions and location but not the blumming squirrels.

I see what you mean, about considering everything else, and then squirrels come along and change your plans! I hope you manage to sort something out as Magnolias are wonderful  :)