Tulip Magnolia Diseases

Question

Our Tulip Magnolia has a gall, yellow to light orange with lots of ants around. Can you, please, tell me what it is and what treatment to use?

Answer 1

Oftentimes, galls can be spawned by insect pests, like aphids. If you are seeing ants, this would be a clue that aphids (or similar sap-sucking insect) are present, as they are attracted to the sticky residue these pests leave behind (honeydew). You can treat the tree with neem oil to get rid of the aphids, which in turn will get rid of the ants as well.