Cherry Tree vs Southern Magnolia

Side-by-side plant comparison — which is right for your garden?

Cherry Tree

Prunus avium

Rosaceae · trees

EdibleMedium Maintenance

Southern Magnolia

Magnolia grandiflora

Magnoliaceae · trees

Deer ResistantLow Maintenance

Hardiness Zone Range

Cherry Tree (Zones 4-7)

Southern Magnolia (Zones 7-10)

Overlap: Both grow in zones 7–7

Detailed Comparison

Feature	Cherry Tree	Southern Magnolia
Scientific Name	Prunus avium	Magnolia grandiflora
Family	Rosaceae	Magnoliaceae
Category	trees	trees
Sun	☀️ Full Sun	☀️ Full Sun to Part Shade
Water	💧💧 Medium	💧💧 Medium
Soil	Rich, Well-drained	Rich, Well-drained, Acidic
Height	30'	80'
Spread	25'	40'
Bloom Season	Spring	Late Spring-Summer
Bloom Color	White	White
Growth Rate	Fast	Medium
Native Region	Europe, Western Asia	Southeastern US
Maintenance	Medium	Low

Special Traits

Cherry Tree

Yes — EdibleNo — Deer ResistantNo — Drought Tolerant

Southern Magnolia

No — EdibleYes — Deer ResistantNo — Drought Tolerant

Care Tips

Cherry Tree

✓Sweet cherries need a pollinator partner; sour cherries are self-fertile.
✓Bird netting essential at harvest time.
✓Prune in summer to reduce disease.
✓Needs winter chill.

Southern Magnolia

✓Protect from winter winds in northern range.
✓Give space for lower branches to sweep the ground.
✓Leaves are slow to decompose.
✓Large seed pods with red seeds.

Which Plant Is Right for Your Garden?

Choose Cherry Tree if you don't mind medium maintenance. It thrives in full sun with medium water in zones 4–7.

Choose Southern Magnolia if you want a low-maintenance plant, and want deer resistance. It thrives in full sun to part shade with medium water in zones 7–10.

Plant them together? Both overlap in zones 7–7. However, they have different sun needs, so plan your garden layout carefully.

View Cherry TreeProfile →View Southern MagnoliaProfile →

Frequently Asked Questions

Can Cherry Tree and Southern Magnolia grow in the same hardiness zone?

Cherry Tree grows in USDA zones 4-7, while Southern Magnolia grows in zones 7-10. Both plants can grow together in zones 7 through 7.

Do Cherry Tree and Southern Magnolia have the same sun and water needs?

Cherry Tree needs full sun and medium water, while Southern Magnolia needs full sun to part shade and medium water. Their differing requirements mean you may need separate garden areas for each.

Which grows taller, Cherry Tree or Southern Magnolia?

Southern Magnolia grows taller at 80' compared to Cherry Tree at 30'. Southern Magnolia spreads 40' while Cherry Tree spreads 25'.

Are Cherry Tree and Southern Magnolia deer resistant?

Southern Magnolia is deer resistant, but Cherry Tree is not. If deer are a concern, Southern Magnolia is the better choice, or protect Cherry Tree with fencing.

Which is easier to maintain, Cherry Tree or Southern Magnolia?

Cherry Tree has medium maintenance while Southern Magnolia has low maintenance. Southern Magnolia may be easier for beginning gardeners to manage.

Explore More Data Tools

For adjacent public-data tools, methodology notes, and network updates, visit DataPeek Facts.

Detailed Comparison

Feature	Cherry Tree	Southern Magnolia
Scientific Name	Prunus avium	Magnolia grandiflora
Family	Rosaceae	Magnoliaceae
Category	trees	trees
Sun	☀️ Full Sun	☀️ Full Sun to Part Shade
Water	💧💧 Medium	💧💧 Medium
Soil	Rich, Well-drained	Rich, Well-drained, Acidic
Height	30'	80'
Spread	25'	40'
Bloom Season	Spring	Late Spring-Summer
Bloom Color	White	White
Growth Rate	Fast	Medium
Native Region	Europe, Western Asia	Southeastern US
Maintenance	Medium	Low

Care Tips

Cherry Tree

✓Sweet cherries need a pollinator partner; sour cherries are self-fertile.
✓Bird netting essential at harvest time.
✓Prune in summer to reduce disease.
✓Needs winter chill.

Southern Magnolia

✓Protect from winter winds in northern range.
✓Give space for lower branches to sweep the ground.
✓Leaves are slow to decompose.
✓Large seed pods with red seeds.

Which Plant Is Right for Your Garden?

Choose Cherry Tree if you don't mind medium maintenance. It thrives in full sun with medium water in zones 4–7.

Choose Southern Magnolia if you want a low-maintenance plant, and want deer resistance. It thrives in full sun to part shade with medium water in zones 7–10.

Plant them together? Both overlap in zones 7–7. However, they have different sun needs, so plan your garden layout carefully.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can Cherry Tree and Southern Magnolia grow in the same hardiness zone?

Cherry Tree grows in USDA zones 4-7, while Southern Magnolia grows in zones 7-10. Both plants can grow together in zones 7 through 7.

Do Cherry Tree and Southern Magnolia have the same sun and water needs?

Cherry Tree needs full sun and medium water, while Southern Magnolia needs full sun to part shade and medium water. Their differing requirements mean you may need separate garden areas for each.

Which grows taller, Cherry Tree or Southern Magnolia?

Southern Magnolia grows taller at 80' compared to Cherry Tree at 30'. Southern Magnolia spreads 40' while Cherry Tree spreads 25'.

Are Cherry Tree and Southern Magnolia deer resistant?

Southern Magnolia is deer resistant, but Cherry Tree is not. If deer are a concern, Southern Magnolia is the better choice, or protect Cherry Tree with fencing.

Which is easier to maintain, Cherry Tree or Southern Magnolia?

Cherry Tree has medium maintenance while Southern Magnolia has low maintenance. Southern Magnolia may be easier for beginning gardeners to manage.