Planting magnolia

Bagpuss57

I have been given a magnolia and although I have a good spot for it I am not sure when to plant it. I was thinking now will be a good time before it starts to put on growth and buds. What's the best way to plant it? Does it need any enrichment like microrisal funghi or blood fish bone in the compost? 

BobTheGardener

I would enrich the general area with something like well-rotted manure or FB&B but don't dig a hole and only enrich that as current thinking is that new roots grow only into the enriched area instaed of into the surrounding soil, which is what you really want to happen.  My preference is to dig square holes, so the roots are less likely to grow in circles when they later reach the edge of the planting hole.