Magnolia trees were once quite large. Traditionally, farmers harvesting the flowers had to erect scaffolding around the trees to access and pick the Magnolia flowers. At some point, someone cultivated the trees and dwarfed them, making the flowers easier to pick. Trees start growing in giant wooden or cement containers. The essential oil comes from the magnolia flower. Flowers are picked off the tree by hand, then spread out to dry for a few hours before distilling. Magnolia flowers can be harvested twice a year: first in the summer, and again in the late autumn or early winter.