I was just wishing tonight that we could plant a jacaranda tree here in zone 7. They are so beautiful. Would something like that work. I do not know if they are deciduous though. What are you trying to block-the house or the pole and wires?

Where are you that a Dutch Elm tree would not be affected by Dutch Elm disease? I did not think those were being planted anymore even though there is research into creating one that is not susceptible.

Until one of the CA authorities like Sara chimes in I would say, I think the subject of edible landscaping in CA came up before and lillypilly shrubs are now available there: http://tasteaustralia.biz/bushfood/native-fruit/lilly-pilly/

They do not grow terribly fast but can eventually get into large hedge territory...probably a little slower than most Arbutus, and definitely slower than most citrus...since you mentioned those. The Airbnb I stayed at in the Illawarra had a 6' hedge of them. I tried the jam (bought at the garden shop in Olinda) and it is very tasty. Tart with a spicy twist.

Non-fruiting but I am also fond of the various antipodal Pittosporums for hedges. On the CA native front, there are things like Toyon and Ceanothus.

We are in zone 9b, Riverside County, CA near Temecula and we have 4 blood oranges in the front yard. They are beautiful all year and would provide a screen, but our yard is huge, and they are far apart. On the side we have a Manila mango with amazing growth. Macadamias grow large and we have the Beaumont variety too, along with Bearss lime and a couple regular oranges and a couple lemons. One lemon is enough, but someone threw a seed down and a random lemon grew. Those lemons are tiny and I love them. They are culinary (not sweet) so every night I squeeze one over an avocado, and put it in a green salad with oil, salt and pepper for dinner. Lemon rinds and juice will freeze also. If you want height, get the standard size citrus. Anything fruiting will produce fruit, and at some point your neighbors won't want any more and you will say "STOP!" but they don't. :-) I LOVE fig trees but they go dormant in winter. Awesome shade in summer. Before you buy check the watering and fertilization requirements. Mangos LOVE water!

I have never found Jacaranda blossoms to have any odor or fragrance at all and I have two of them. Catie where in CA are you?

Hi @Sara Malone Zone 9b, We are in Redwood City, CA.

Thanks!

You can browse trees here and find out about roots, litter, etc. https://selectree.calpoly.edu/search-trees-by-characteristics Dutch elm might not do well in your zone.

I like this yard!

Citrus of course is always appropriate (and can you really get anything that smells better? no!), as is avocado and loquat--avocado in particular is easy to clean up stray leaves that drop onto your patio.

Definitely check out loquat (if you like them). It would give you a little contrast to all your deep green small leafed things, plus loquats. If there's room for avocado as well ( you suggested two avocados?), even better.

I'm not sure you actually have space for two large trees--not sure where you're planting exactly.

Strawberry trees aren't very big (at least not for a very
long time) so I wouldn't pick that for shade. Pepper trees are fabulous
and a bit messy. Jacaranda is messier. Mine doesn't smell but this time
of year, it covers one of my patios with an inch purple squishies daily. I don't
mind wading through it on my sideyard, but it would be hard to keep
your DG and brick tidy under the purple onslaught.

I have no idea about your climate, I am 7b North Alabama, but I adore figs. I have a Brown Turkey, but I think you can grow many more varieties. They are easy to shape to what you want. Mine is huge. I adore the fruit. I read the other day, that you can make tea with the dried leaves. This I have not tried.

If I could have a lemon tree and an avocado tree outside, I would think I was in heaven.

Catie a few ideas: Check in with San Mateo Master Gardeners and see if they have a tree list. PG&E also has a list of small trees that work well under power lines, you may get some ideas from that: https://www.pge.com/pge_global/common/pdfs/safety/yard-safety/powerlines-and-trees/Bay-Area-Small-Trees.pdf

Strawberry tree (Arbutus unedo) would work but is a bit 'rough' in its appearance. You might see if you can find it in 'Compacta' grown as a standard. Its showier cousin, Arbutus x 'Marina' probably wants to be too big for your spot.

Check out different Acacias, Parkinsonia 'Desert Museum' (deciduous but lovely in winter), and Laurus 'Saratoga'.

Good luck!