Tall plants/trees to pot?

Question

We are ripping out the crape myrtle trees in our front yard and want to replace them with something potted. We want something large so it looks nice but we don't want to have to plant it in the ground in a few years. We were kind of thinking of getting Magnolia, but I guess you'd have to plant that in the ground a few years down the road...

We are in eastern north carolina

Any ideas/suggestions? Websites for beginner gardeners also appreciated!

? · Accepted Answer

May I suggest a Magnolia 'Little Gem' - Magnolia Grandiflora. It's a dwarf Magnolia. http://www.laketreegrowers.com/broadleaf.html

Or a Waxleaf Privet "Ligustrum lucidum" It does very well in a pot, and in your area. It has a pretty fragrant white flower. It will not get that big. Max height is about 16 feet tall.
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ligustrum_lucidum

fluffernut · Answer

No tree or shrub is going to be happy in a pot.  The roots sytems are larger than the top of the tree which should give you an idea of why they go into the ground.  Yes, you see trees in nurseries in pots, but they are viable only for a short time in that container.  Unless they are planted into the ground or moved each season into larger and larger pots, they will not last.  To have a tree of any size you are talking about containers 3' x 3' x 3'     and up quickly.

Anonymous · Answer

I am a great lover of Crape Myrtle trees.  They are adaptable, hearty and easy maintenance.  They are a bush or a tree.  Depending on how you groom them.  My advice is and knowing the Carolina's.  If it is there leave it.  Decide what you want it to look like then shape it.  The Magnolias are a horrible idea if you are already un-happy with Myrtles.  These grow out of control.  Get hordes of bugs and turn nasty green and dis-color without the right fertalization.  Does not sound like you are a gardner so avoid anything else but the Myrtle.  It really doesn't need you.  Just the sun and the ground and a decision of Tree or Shrub.  
Good luck

? · Answer

ok it truly is what i might want to do alongside with pray.... dig them up with as a lot because the unique airborne dirt and dirt as quite obtainable. Get a large piece of burlap sufficient to conceal the roots up with, throw some shredded newspaper in the bottom and moist the paper. positioned the vegetation on good of that and tie the burlap up as tightly as obtainable on the coolest. moist down the ball then position it in a large plastic bag. Tie that up around the coolest besides. Now its waiting to be transported, yet your next trick is going to be temperature. If it receives to chilly they're going to bypass into marvel and extremely likely die. If the timber are large position them mutually on the truck and tie them mutually in a circle which could help to shop them from falling over. safeguard them any way you could. This holiday i'm assuming is going to take some days. extremely in case your going to be vacationing via any chilly climate it likely wont artwork anyhow. you could attempt to blanket the roots with transferring blankets for some warm temperature and doubtless merely perhaps.....in spite of you do in the experience that they do live to inform the tale do not plant them immediately go away them out in a chance-free spot outdoors for some days first. If i quite loved the vegetation i might want to honestly attempt it. do merely not shop your hopes up too intense.... least you recognize you tried.

Tall plants/trees to pot?

4 Answers