We have just had to take out a very large dead cypress. We would like to replace it with a deciduous tree. We are concerned because it would go in a small area in the north west corner of our yard and the sewer line from the house runs close to it. We need a tree whose roots will not damage the sewer line. Our first choice is the dogwood Eddie's White Wonder. Second choice is a black locust and our arbourist has suggested a silk tree.
Think small if sewer lines are a concern. Black Locust is probably out. I'm a big dogwood fan. Also like Japanese Maples, they come in every color and size.
Silk trees have a large spreading crown and might not be a good idea for a small space. You can see a full grown tree between Ontario St. and Quebec St. on 22nd. Ave in Vancouver.
.......a Stewartia Pseudocamellia would also be lovely, depending on the facing. 4 seasons of interest...gorgeous flowers June/July, good Fall colour, peeling bark and very tidy and well behaved with few problems. Slow grower and pyramidal, and an investment tree, but worth the wait. Call the larger nurseries in the Valley to find a good specimen
Take a look at Cornus kousa chinensis (Chinese dogwood). This is a smaller dogwood that is recommended for Pacific Northwest gardens.
Agree with the Cornus kousa idea if you like dogwoods. Although Eddie's White Wonder is meant to be more resistant to anthracnose than C. nuttallii, I've seen a few of them lost to it. Stewartia is a very beautiful tree. Though they are slower growing, I don't believe they've been planted in this area for very long, so I'm not sure of their ultimate size. If you like the form and foliage of black locust, consider a laburnum (goldenchain) hybrid. They stay very much smaller, and have beautiful pendulous yellow flowers.
Although these are slow-growing Seattle has a Kousa dogwood more than 48' wide and a Japanese stewartia 42' tall. A tree is a tree, where space is limited selection must be very careful - except where possible long-term results are not a concern. These and the Japanese maple are also monsoon-climate trees that must be kept quite moist to do well, I have seen a long-established Seattle planting of the stewartia actually die during a summer with a marked hot period. http://www.arthurleej.com/drytrees.html
