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HappyHiker
5-19-25, 10:36am
We have a small (under 10 ft. Magnolia tree) that screens our screened porch from our neighbors'. It's a volunteer--we didn't plant it.

Though I'm a huge tree-lover, I've had it with this tree. It's constantly shedding leaves..and something about the sound of those tough brown leaves skittering across the brick patio is like fingernails on a blackboard.

Plus the all too frequent task of raking/sweeping up the leaves...

So, long story short, I think we're going to dispatch with the tree...

My question is we're thinking of planting in its place several Oleanders. They do well in our coastal NC zone 8A.

I know they're toxic to cats/dogs, but we & neighbors have neither of them.

We like the Oleander idea as they seem to be "easy keepers" and drought tolerant and the hummingbirds/butterflies are drawn to them

Any advice/observations most welcomed! We'd like a small tree/shrub that stays under 10 feet and keeps leaves all year to serve as a living screening fence..
iris lilies
5-19-25, 11:03am
Please send that magnolia tree to me since I’m thinking about planting one soon.

I know nothing about Oleander because it’s too cold here for that.
HappyHiker
5-19-25, 11:16am
Please send that magnolia tree to me since I’m thinking about planning one soon.

I know nothing about Oleander because it’s too cold here for that.

Come dig it up and it's yours--for free! Or I can send you a plentiful supply of seeds--they're everywhere!
catherine
5-19-25, 11:56am
My son's favorite tree is magnolia, and he is going to be planting one to replace the ash tree that had to be cut down due to Emerald Ash Borer disease. He has been researching the best variety for what would suit our climate and his preferences.

Like IL, I cant speak for oleander. An obvious choice would be some variety of arbor vitae, but they are more boring than beautiful flower-blooming trees and shrubs.
nswef
5-19-25, 1:38pm
I was just reading about rowan trees (mountain ash- not affected by ash borer) and serviceberry which draws cedr waxwings- I think it comes as a bush or a tree. I'm in zone 6 Maryland
iris lilies
5-19-25, 1:44pm
I was just reading about rowan trees (mountain ash- not affected by ash borer) and serviceberry which draws cedr waxwings- I think it comes as a bush or a tree. I'm in zone 6 Maryland
But those don’t keep their leaves all year do they?


Her options are limited if she wants greenery all year.
Tybee
5-20-25, 8:11am
Oleanders are really lovely--native Georgian here.
Tiam
5-29-25, 12:44am
What about a Hawthorn tree?
HappyHiker
6-1-25, 9:28am
As we have power lines above where the tree/shrub will be, we need something that stay under 12-14 ft. Or is easy for us to trim with thinner branches. So looking for a small tree or larger shrub--hence the oleander thought...appreciate your suggestions...just might put up a simple trellis or decorative panel with some climbing/flowering vines...of course, a hurricane will make short work of that, I fear.
Tybee
6-1-25, 9:34am
How about dwarf fruit tree/s?
iris lilies
6-1-25, 10:48am
How about dwarf fruit tree/s?
But they drop their leaves. They’re deciduous. I mean, I know you know that, but she specified year-round blocking.

the logical way to do that is something man-made.
iris lilies
6-1-25, 10:51am
I could swear I already posted this earlier but do not see it: we bought and planted a magnolia tree last week. I look forward to it being big enough in a couple of years for me to cut out leaf clusters to use in Holiday floral designs.
Tybee
6-1-25, 11:07am
But they drop their leaves. They’re deciduous. I mean, I know you know that, but she specified year-round blocking.

the logical way to do that is something man-made.

I think I thought she lived in Florida or south Georgia because of the oleanders.
HappyHiker
6-7-25, 8:23am
She (me) lives in coastal North Carolina, zone 8a...I like the idea of a dwarf lemon tree if I could raise one in a container (on wheels) so I could bring it inside during the winter (we do go below freezing sometimes). I use a lot of lemons in my cooking and for salad dressings so the lemons would be wonderful...still investigating, and appreciate your suggestions.
Tybee
6-7-25, 9:42am
She (me) lives in coastal North Carolina, zone 8a...I like the idea of a dwarf lemon tree if I could raise one in a container (on wheels) so I could bring it inside during the winter (we do go below freezing sometimes). I use a lot of lemons in my cooking and for salad dressings so the lemons would be wonderful...still investigating, and appreciate your suggestions.

Ooh, buy a Meyer lemon tree locally (or two). I have one in my living room I grew from seed and it is about six feet tall. A friend on Hilton Head got 150 lemons from hers and made limoncello!

But down in SC they couldn't cross state lines so try for one locally.
HappyHiker
6-7-25, 7:40pm
Thanks for the encouragement! Maybe I could start a new business! Limoncello for all!! Plus lemon meringue pie...lemon squares...the list is endless...
iris lilies
6-7-25, 10:14pm
Thanks for the encouragement! Maybe I could start a new business! Limoncello for all!! Plus lemon meringue pie...lemon squares...the list is endless...
A couple of years ago DH managed to harvest a huge juicy lemon from his lemon tree. It was huge. I made lemon chicken