What's happening to my magnolia tree?

Hi everyone.
First I'm not sure I'm posting this in the correct forum - should it be in trees?

This morning I noticed a couple of dead branches on my magnolia tree. When I looked closer, I realised that some of the branches are broken. These branches are on the most sheltered side of the tree and we haven't had any major wind. I've taken some pics. Also I noticed that some of the leaves are very holey - some sort of disease? And ironically I have a couple of very late blooms too. I pruned the tree early August, but don't think that is the problem. I don't think its the weight of the branches as small twigs seem to be snapped too. Despite all the tree is very healthy and the branches that are broken (presumbly more recently) are alive. Would really appreciate any ideas as I love this tree and I would hate to lose it.

 

Hi Monsclara. Judging by your photos, your Magnolia grandiflora looks nice and healthy generally. I think the leaf damage is from a pest rather than any sort of disease.
You didn't say how high from the ground the broken branches/twigs are? It looks as though someone or some animalhas pushed by and physically snapped off bits.

 

Hi Julie
Thanks for your comments. The broken branches vary but the one in this pic is about 1m from the ground and about 20cms from the trunk. Never thought that it could be an animal as it's right in front of my house and nobody walks in there. That said given all the broken branches are in a specific place then it makes sense. I'm thinking of cutting off all the broken branches and wait to see if I get more casualties. As you say the rest of the tree looks fine as can be seen from these pics. The damaged bits are on the side closest to the front of the house

 

Any clumsy cats living close by? Ever have foxes visit? If no one ever walks there, it is quite private as far as an animal is concerned. Tree looks in fine health to me.

 

Hi , the tree itself looks very healthy as you say; the leaf damage is just cosmetic, probably those tiny little green catapillers that you see, they seem to be quite numerous this year. The branch damage??, have you any squirrels in the neighbourhood?, they could have gnawed the branch and then its snapped under its own weight after being weakened, the second picture particularly looks like that sort of damage. The first picture shows that it is a cleaner snap and is in a weak spot; a fork in the branch, is the piece that's snapped heavy with leaf and flower??

 

Has anybody had a few too many and stumbled into the tree perhaps?

 

Possibly a cat trying to catch birds, launching its self into the branches.
Agree the leaf damage is no real problem.

 

Merleworld! When I read your comment I thought you were referring to the fact that I should have posted this in the trees forum!. You see the tree is so close to the house, there wouldn't "normally" be anyone there - but it is strange.

 

The damage could well be one of my cats who is "mental". He is forever jumping around and yes, he is quite clumsy. But he's innocent til proven guilty as he larks about on the olive tree as well which is much more feeble and there are no breaks on it.
Is it safe to cut off the broken branches? Will that damage the tree?
Thanks

 

Hi Bilbo. Don't think there are squirrels, but have a crazy cat/kitten! . There are a couple of broken branches with lots of dead leaves, so could well have snapped. The rest of the branches are quite leaf-heavy.