It's also dangerous to small children whom parents don't know and let them play around these plants. A few years back, there was a Russian familly immigrated to southern CA, one of the children got into big problem after he ingested some of these leaves. He was rushed into the emergency room, but did not make out alive. I think the state should ban orleander and I don't know why you can still see these plants especially along some of the major freeways.

They grow fast and are used for dividing trafic and noise,shade ext.Kids and pets are a problem because you know kids will eat anything.I mix the leaves in with my pasta sauce and it dosnt seem to bother me much,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,jk,lol,,,,,,, ,,,,,,,,,,,,,,but yeah my dog is 10 years old and wont touch anything like that,dont have kids,the reason Im asking is because on one side of my yard I have them and the other doesnt.I cant decide witch side I would want the torts if I get them so if I do them on the one side then I know I need to move them.My main concern was if any of these other trees were toxic.Ive got great front shade from them in my front part of the house so those may stay for now.They kill my alergies in summer I can tell you that much.

so how do you guys keep pests out of the yard like fleas,ticks,ants and so on?Is it ok to spray,just not around there pens?

Jason, I don't use sprays like Raid or BugBeGone. None of those types of chemicals. They can find their way into the pens when you water. Most are set up to last some time on your lawn or in the dirt. Use organic remedies. Like bugs that eat bugs , spiders well they just seem to stick around. Widows I squash.

Fleas: In the yard or garden, plant fleabane (Fleabane Daisy Erigeron speciosus) to repel fleas. This is an annual growing 16-24" tall with violet, daisy like flowers. (I don't know if it is ok for torts) Nontoxic flea traps are available commercially.

Ants:Set out cucumber peels or slices in the kitchen or at the ants' point of entry. Many ants have a natural aversion to cucumber. Bitter cucumbers work best.
Leave a few tea bags of mint tea near areas where the ants seem most active. Dry, crushed mint leaves or cloves also work as ant deterrents.

Ticks: That is a hard one I have found that birds do the best organic job. Chickens, Guinea Hens, or just wild birds. You could just throw wild bird seed in the yard. If you don't want the seeds to germinate simply bake them at 300 degrees for about 30 minutes.

Here are two sites http://www.eartheasy.com/live_natpest_control.htm
http://www.planetnatural.com/site/xdpy/k...trols.html
And one of our threads http://tortoiseforum.org/bugs-t-1336.html
Or just try typing in Organic pest control for many,many more.

They are everywhere - they are all over the south. Even if you don't live in CA, watch out for them.