Sweet Bay Magnolia Tree Height Shipped:3 4 Feet wildlife value old_product_id_8918 wildlife value This tree is also a native hardwood which provides habitat for birds‚ squirrels‚ and a collection of other species‚ as well as contributing to the overall success of natural communities․ Native oaks contribute to the health of natural communities by providing habitat‚ seasonal food‚ and nesting sites․ Polysemous and fun to say‚ the fragrance of the sweet bay magnolia is as beautiful as its form and is usually its most beautiful characteristic at this time of the year‚ the flowers usually beginning to bloom anywhere from late spring through early summer․ The flowers can be as much as ten inches or twenty five centimeters wide․ The fragrance of the blossom has been likened to that of the ubiquitous magnolia flower with a hint of citrus․ The flowers may attract pollinators such as bees‚ butterflies‚ and moths․ Against the dark green foliage of the tree‚ the beauty of the flowers makes this one of the most beautiful sights of spring․ The leaves have also been described as one of the more impressive and decorative aspects of the sweet bay magnolia․ The smooth leaves are dark green above and paler below‚ often almost silvery․ The leaves of this tree are up to eight inches long with an elliptical shape․ The leaves droop down‚ forming a teardrop shape that helps give the tree its sweeping appearance․ When the tree is in a breeze‚ the leaves whisper․ The sound of the leaves in the wind and the sight of the massed foliage makes this a tree which encourages people to sit beneath‚ making it ideal for use as a tree to be found in gardens and parks․ The leaves have an aroma and slightly lemon scented qualities when crushed․