Good plant, mediocre results — what went wrong with my Magnolia

Magnolia is clearly a great plant — I can see that from other people's results. Mine has been decent but not spectacular, and I think I know why.

I underestimated the importance of keeping a mulch-free collar immediately around the trunk in the early stages and paid for it. honey fungus affecting roots especially on stressed trees also knocked the plant back at a critical point. It lives in a boundary or avenue planting in a larger space which is probably not quite right but it's the best I can do in my space. canopy habitat for birds, insects, and wildlife is visible but muted. bare winter silhouette revealing branch structure and bark gave me hope — there are glimpses of what it could be. Three stars for now with potential for four.