I'm wanting to plant a couple-three "weird" trees on a newly open spot of
ground in my yard. I was
hoping for a baobab or a banyan, but I'm not sure if any of these will handle
my climate ("7a" on
the system used in the US-- upper part of South Carolina). BRBR

Unfortunately, the ones you mention are not frost-hardy. You will have to do
some research in the library or on the Web. All serious reference material on
trees lists their hardiness zone. To be on the safe side, try to find trees
listed for Zone 6. That way, your tree won't be killed or severely damaged in
an unusually cold winter. On the other hand, if you like to gamble, try
something more exotic in a sheltered area of your yard, and give it extra
winter protection.
A couple of things to check out are the edible fig, which is the only species
in the genus that is winter-hardy, and has exotic looking leaves. There is also
a hardy banana plant which might grow there. The palmetto may be too common for
you to consider, but I think there are a few palms that may be frost hardy.
Another point to consider is that exotic trees grown outside of their native
area have a tendency to become noxious weeds, like tamarisks, Casuarina,
Chinaberry, Meleleuca, Lantana, etc. Don't plant anything like that,
Iris,
Central NY, Zone 5a, Sunset Zone 40
"If we see light at the end of the tunnel, It's the light of the oncoming
train."
Robert Lowell (1917-1977)