Don't let anyone tell you that they are "Little Gem" Magnolias and won't grow to any more than (fill in the height you desire) feet tall! I can't TELL you how many times I've seen these slow growing magnolias utilized in this manner. Landscape architects and designers alike who do this are absolutely ignorant. And, of course, homeowner often plant trees of many different kinds several feet too close to structures.

I suspect that you need to get ready to do what I will be doing in my own yard this fall: physically removing the existing foundations plants. We have already had to remove the two pitiful shade trees from the front yard. They were small enough that we could cut them down safely, but we did have the stumps ground out. We will chop the large foundation plants to the ground and then pull them out, probably with a chain and tractor. No attempts will be made to 'save' them. If they look terrible where they are, why would they look great anywhere else? They are also past their useful, ornamental life.

Magnolias despise having their roots disturbed, and I would not recommend to anyone in this situation that you try to 'save' these trees for transplantation elsewhere. Have them cut down and the stumps ground away. There is no good reason for property owners to be 'held hostage' (my terminology) by their landscaping. Landscape ornamentals are a renewable resource and we should attempt to implement plants that improve the property instead of annoy those who live there!