Magnolia tree help

Chainsaw should do it.

It’s hard & flat where it’s black
I thought if it were lightning it would be split somewhere

ETA
The black goes nowhere near the top but that may not matter

Yea, it had new blooms

The bark is missing but it’s solid where the black is

It seems like some form of fungus and the leaves would be resultant from the fungus. Maybe canker, but I think it more affects branches, not the main trunk. iNaturalist came back with "common tarcrust fungus" (it did get the tree right, too, just from your pic of the trunk), but I haven't found any definitive answer on if it is a problem for magnolias.

Unfortunately, though, if the bark is missing and that black section is growing from the area without bark, it is most likely a fungal infection.

You can search for "treating fungal infections in magnolia trees" and get some info. Mostly it says to try to remove the fungus and treat with a fungicide.

I’ve got two dead magnolias in my yard. Drought last year was a terror to them.

I would email your local extension office with the pictures as well, they can recommend fungicides or an arborist for a better look.

It looks like there's another trunk so maybe the fungus could be contained and the whole tree doesn't have to come down

Definitely worth a shot. I wouldn't be afraid to drop some decent cash, a tree that size would take decades to replace.

my experience with LSUAg Center officers is that they are eager to get out t the field and look at problems. there is an office close to my house in hammond and i've had them over several times...always helpful