British Columbia: Dead Acer! what kind of tree to plant?

I planted an Acer about a year and a half ago in the west corner of my north facing front garden. I am not sure why it died, I think it may have suffered during last years very hot and dry summer. I did water it regularly, but perhaps because of the clay ball (we did break it up when planting it) the water ran off rather than permeating the roots. Not sure, but sadly the Acer is dead. It is the first real loss of anything significant I have ever had, and I feel very sad about it.

Anyhow, sadly.... I need to replace it. The nursery suggested that I DO NOT plant another Acer as she thinks the site may be too sunny for it. The site gets sun from about 9 am to 3pm. It is dappled sun as there is a very large fir tree in the neighbours yard beside us.There is also a Vine Maple growing in the west side of the garden. My main question is what do I replace it with? I want a tree that will eventually act as a bit of a "frame" with the house in the picture, for example a tree that has some horizontal spread. The nursery has suggested a Prunus, Stewartia, Styrax, Malus or a Amalanchier. After doing a bit of researching, I am not sure if I like these suggestions or not. Does anyone have any suggestions? Or, are the nursery's suggestions good? What about a magnolia stellata? I have seen some quite large varieties in bloom right now. They seem quite nice, but I don't think they have much horizontal spread. Any thoughts? With thanks. The photo attached shows the front of our house, and the Acer (before it died) in the Northwest corner of the front of our garden.

 

The two ornamental cherries still available as a fund-raiser for the Vancouver Cherry Blossom Festival, 'Akebono' and 'Kanzan', are both described as having an "upright spreading crown", which sounds like what you say you're looking for. They're described at the bottom of the Birthday Blossoms page on the VCBF website. You'd have to be willing to wait until next year to pick them up though.

 

There are many different kinds of Prunus (cherries etc.) and Malus (crabapples) on the market, with varying attributes. Perhaps the greatest scope for finding a modern, disease-resistant selection is with the flowering crabapples - there has not been nearly so much work done with Japanese flowering cherries in North America. These are now kind of old hat, with certain pandemic issues that are causing their glow to grow pale in some circles - serviceberries (Amelanchier) and flowering crabapples have been suggested as replacements.

Article - Trees that merit planting in Seattle by Arthur Lee Jacobson:

http://www.arthurleej.com/a-Trees of merit.html

Horticultural techniques for successful plant establishment:

http://www.puyallup.wsu.edu/~linda chalker-scott/FactSheets/Planting fact sheet.pdf

 

Ron,

Thanks so much for taking the time to reply. I will take your suggestions under advisement and also read more from the links you have provided. Thanks again.
Patricia