Article content Isn’t that tree in the photograph quite amazing? Magnolias are great additions to any garden and, given enough years, may become monumental in the best sense of the word. The photographed tree began life in that location as a sapling that was a Mother’s Day present in 1945. Photographed at age 65, the tree was just approaching its prime because some magnolias live 100 years or even longer. The Sarnia We apologize, but this video has failed to load. Try refreshing your browser. More bonding with trees: Magnolias Back to video Observer’s garden columnist, John DeGroot, said it best: “The best time to plant a magnolia is a decade ago.”