On Wed, 16 Jul 2003 21:27:10 -0400, Peter wrote:


Location is in Maryland, right between Baltimore and Washington,
D.C.. we are officially in a zone 7a but because of the urban city
heat, the USDA has also described this area as being zone 8.

Kinda crazy weather.... can be 110 degrees in the summer months and
drop down to -20 degrees below zero during the winter.

I don't think so. What you probably mean is that it gets as low as 20F
in winter; that is, 12 degrees below freezing. USDA zone 8's 'bottom'
temperatures are 10-20F; zone 7's are 0-10F. The all-time record low
temperature for DC is around -5F.

What tree's would be evergreen, grow about 30' high with
a 20' spread, forming a canopy. I was considering a
magnolia.. but am open to suggestions.

Are any of the magnolia family evergreen and somewhat smallish???
Are they quick growers??

A brief Google shows many varieties of Magnolia that might suit your
purposes. Magnolias produce deep shade, so that would influence your
choise of 'underplantings.'

This site has several detailed descriptions, 'though I wouldn't think
it were comprehensive.

http://www.sleepyhollownursery.com/descriptions/mo.htm