Help me pick a tree

I need some advice. Last year, a maple tree next to our deck was hit by lightening and split down the middle. We had to cut it down last fall. Now we are considering what to plant in its place. I have 4 maples already, so I am looking for something different. You might guess I have some magnolias too, but I'm not sure if I get to pick one of those there, because my DH doesn't think it will shade the deck, like he wants it to. :*(
One of the trees I have considered is a varigated ginko. I don't know if I want the deck totally shaded out, as I have some plantings around the deck that enjoy part sun.
I am so up for any feedback from you tree folks. Please help me, if you have an ideas.
Thanks!
Magnolialover

a crataegus Paul's Scarlet (English hawthorn)? Cercis Canadensis ( redbud)?

Hawthorn likes full sun (and Paul's Scarlet is a very scruffy thing anyway!), and so does Ginkgo. Redbud is certainly a good idea, it'll take part shade well.

Other ideas . . how about a Halesia?

Resin

Magnolia acuminata, or, possibly even better, Magnolia acuminata subs cordata. These are our native cucumber magnolias, and they are cool. The leaf out late and flower late, so they are never nailed by frosts. The flowers have some yellow to them. M. acuminata eventually grows oak-like tall, so eventually the flowers lose impact. Not quite the case with the subspecies. Both have a very interesting bark texture. Here's a link:

http://www.hort.uconn.edu/plants/m/magacu/magacu1.html

"Ellen" is a variegated form of M. acuminata subcordata. Hard to find, but noteworthy. Now I'm going to search my files for photos. The first I found is of a young tree.

Scott

Foliage.

Scott

A probable Centurion at Spring Grove.

Scott

Trunk and foliage.

Scott

The variegation on "Ellen."

Scott

The bark on a M. acuminata subcordata.

Scott

And, finally, an offspring between M. acuminata subcordata and denudata, I think. "Ivory Chalice" is a magnificent magnolia with awesome form.Very upright. Blooms early though and got blasted this spring.

Scott

I wouldn't be overly concerned about Ginkgo throwing too much shade any time soon. If it happens in your lifetime consider yourself fortunate. There seems to some confusion about shade conditions, but sounds to me like this is a full sun situation. I don't think the Cucumber Mag Scott mentions is going to allow for much sun to pass through to surrounding plants. On the other hand, if I had those pictures I'd probably recommend it as well. How 'bout Kentucky Coffeetree? The foliage allows for some light to pass through and it would provide winter interest as well. Awkward for the first few years, but it's a tree that even your husband would come to love. Another tree I really like is Amur Corktree. Bold branching, vigorous, clean foliage, interesting bark, and decent fall color. I've got P. 'His Majesty', but there's a new model on the market introduced by Johnson Nursery out of Milwaukee called 'Eye Stopper' that supposedly has very nice yellow/golden fall color. Good luck with it.

Bob

p.s. You can see Halesia at Longenecker Gardens just up the road from you.

Thanks for your input. I have a lot of searching to do now, pictures, vendors etc. You all have very pleasing tastes. If you think of anything else, keep it coming. I've enjoyed your ideas Scott, Bob, Resin and Mrs Colla.
I'm a sorry too, if I wasn't clear. I do want to shade my deck, somewhat, but I have plantings around my deck that benefit from part sun. So some filtering of light throgh leaves would be beneficial. It seems like some trees are better at this than others.

I was stressing magnolias because of your user name. KY. Coffee Tree is a great suggestion. One of the unique things about it is that it is late to leaf out and early to lose its leaves. Not normally a great trait in a tree, but for a deck tree ideal. Gives you sun for much of spring and fall when you can enjoy it, shade for summer when you need it.

Scott

I'd lean toward the magnolia group, too, since there were oohs and ahhhs coming from the bedeviled denizen of Oregon WI during the magnolia shoes thread.

'Butterflies' would be at the top of the list. All the great traits of its parents (M. acuminata and M. denudata) with more precocious yellow flowers, faster growth rate, and smaller leaves. And, readily available.

KY coffee tree is hard to denigrate, but I wouldn't put it in a bed where you dig and plant, since root disturbance around Gymnocladus dioicus will guarantee that you get a colony of suckers from those roots. I don't think you want that.

Otherwise, if you can find a hardy northern source, try a blackgum. Nyssa sylvatica is a crowd pleaser.

I just have to throw in a recommendation for a London Plane tree. We, too, lost a maple last year, and we searched and searched for a London Plane, which we had seen on a trip to Philly. It is a shade tree with outstanding bark for year round interest. Grows fast, but unlike many other fast growing trees, it can withstand heavy winds, too much rain, too little rain, and very heavy pruning. Check it out: http://davesgarden.com/pf/go/977/index.html

I think ginko is an excellent choice. a legacy tree, beautiful fall foilage
fan leaves

Another one with shade and filtered light in a not too exposed is a Cornus Alternifolia. Nice umbrella shaped tree with nice flowers in early summer and beautiful layered look. You can choose from varigated 'Argentea', to regular leafed Alternifolia. This is one that is in my back yard.

There is another variegated Cornus alternifolia called Golden Shadows ™. I think that Golden Shadows ™ looks much better than 'Argentea', IMHO. I have both of these cultivars and the leaves of 'Argentea' are somewhat contorted and don't have the same pleasing effect that the straight species or Golden Shadows ™ presents. Golden Shadows ™ looks somewhat like a "tree hosta", which is kind of cool.

I also agree that the Kentucky Coffeetree is a good choice. If you choose a Ginkgo, you won't have to worry about shade for many, many years. (:o)
Mike

In the end, I chose a magnolia, 'Butterflies'. Thanks everybody, for your suggestions. The mags always tug at my heartstrings.