Eastern Redbud sounds perfect here. There are many cultivars that should do well in your spot if the species is too boring for you.

John

Thanks, but that's (the species, anyhow) is a bit too large for the space. It's also so similar in looks when blooming to the crabapples, and I'm hoping for a totally different look. They are such a beautiful tree, though. I never saw redbuds until I moved to Virginia from Connecticut, they are everywhere here! The most beautiful sight is when you drive down roads lined with white dogwoods and redbuds, blooming at the same time...

Does anyone here have experience with the Korean Maple? It's one I've toyed with for a few years - again, the size may nix it...

Well, I did some measuring, and it turns out I only have room for up to a 14' spread, or limbs will encroach into my neighbor's yard. So I guess I need to look at shrubs, unless someone knows of tress that will fit into that size pruned? I'm even thinking about a large trellis of climbing roses...thanks for trying to help though, John!

Paperbark Maple is a nice 4 season Plant, Cleveland select Pear,

Corylus 'Harry Lauder's' Walking Stick? A four season plant, can be pruned to shape, has great winter interest (if the snow doesn't cause breakage problems). Tops out around 10' x maybe 8' but is slooowww. The early spring catkins are delightful. There is a purple-leaved version that holds its color for a bit then fades to green. Drought tolerant once established, at least here.

Here is a link that might be useful: Form and Foliage

Great suggestions! The mobile home park I live in is tiered like a three layer cake, and I am on the top level. Each level has a split rail fence at the end of the backyard, and each level also has tree plantings along the rail. My level alternates white pine with Bradford pear, and the Bradfords haven't taken the winds well. A few have died, but that did provide me with more light in my back yard. Not the owner's best choice.
I like both the Paperbark Maple and Corylus suggestions - I found a pic at Dave's Gardens of a 20 yr old Harry Lauder's trained into a tree form, and it looked spectacular! Slow growth, catkins, and I've always loved the twisted form - this one may be the winner. I can't believe I never realized it had catkins. Seeing it trained into tree form changed my opinion of it's high cost, it really is a show stopper when not left as an unruly shrub. I've been reading about the filbert blight - trying to find a silver lining I can say that woodworking is a new hobby and if the thing should die from blight some day, I could easily use the contorted wood in projects - lol.
Thanks for the great tips, I knew this was the place to come to : ) Now I'll have to start saving my pennies because I think the Harry Lauder's is the winner...

Princeton Sentry Ginkgo, or one of the other columnar Ginkgo's as well. Will eventually get taller, but is very drought tolerant. There are also some semi-dwarf forms,and variegated forms that are much smaller as well.

Arktrees

I would recommend a witch hazel (hamamelis intermedia). There are tons of cultivars to choose from. I suggest 'Arnold's Promise'. It's one of the most well known cultivars and is extremely hardy. They're also quite tiny. Arnold Promise won't get taller than 6' according to DG.

I looked up the witch hazel (witch hazel being a sentimental favorite) and Arnold's Promise has great fall color - I'd really love to have something with varied, strong fall color. I'm originally from Connecticut, and I miss the fall foliage so much - we just don't have it here in this part of Virginia, regardless of what the locals think! lol
The size seems quite a bit bigger than 6' - even as quoted on DG. Mostly I've read 15' tall by 10' - 12' wide. I'm sure the width could be pruned in, and the height is fine by me. My only concern would be providing enough water, it sounds like a thirsty plant. It's in the running, though, that was a good suggestion!

Staphylea trifolia, American Bladdernut - I just found this on the Forestfarm.com site, where I've been trying to sort through their immense inventory for ideas. It look promising, too. Again, water loving, but I might have to resign myself to watering whatever I get. It is within the size I need, it takes extremely well to pruning - to the point it's being used exclusively for a hedge maze, has interesting (even if small) pendulous flowers, and a clear yellow fall color.
Anyone here familiar with it?

If you're in Virginia, it'll probably do even better. The rootstock of many witch hazels is hamamelis virginiana, which is native to your area.