Maples, as a group, are shade tolerant. There may be something from this tribe that'll work for you. Carpinus (Musclewood, blue beech) is another thought. I'm sure there's more.

+oM

I'm not sure about the eventual canopies these trees might make for you, there are so many variables in trees from one area to the next, even from one area of your own yard to another area. But, some shade tolerant, small trees are -
witchhazel/hamamelis virginiana
silverbell/halesia diptera or halesia carolina
serviceberry/amelanchier arborea or a. laevis or a. canadensis
Florida maple/acer floridanum
bluebeech/carpinus caroliniana
flowering dogwood/cornus florida
hophornbeam/ostrya virginiana
Sherry

Sounds like you need a shrub or shrubby tree, such as those already suggested. Don't count on blazing fall color in heavy shade.

Thanks for the suggestions!...but these are listed as partial shade--will they do well with only 1 hour or so of direct sun a day?

If you have 2 hrs of direct sunlight and the rest bright shade you will be surprised at how much will grow there. That is what I have in my back yard. I have variegate Kousa dog woods, Try color beech, Stewartia, Halesia, Sweetbay magnolia, Japanese maples, Red Bud, PawPaw, serviceberry, Southern magnolia and a zelkova. If the background is dark somethink like Zelkova Serrata 'Goshiki' which is a variegate plant might look nice.

David

The shade is my three-story house providing a solar eclipse for the entire year! =) This area will probably get maybe 30-45 min. of sun in the morning, deep shade in the heat of the day (not necessarily a bad thing here in north central NC in the summer), and then maybe 30-45 min. of sun at or around dusk.

I'm leaning toward the serviceberry, or possible a silverbell (I like flowering trees). The fruit on the serviceberry is a plus for the birds...if it will fruit with such low light. Thanks again for the help!

Serviceberry can be quite shrubby - we have two 'Autumn Brilliance' at the elementary school and they are that form.

Sun is important for flowering ... so the less sun you have, the fewer flowers in general.

Even though you get one hour of direct sun there per day, though, you may be surprised at how much indirect sun (or filtered) can bring results.

I like Sherry's list. I have Styrax grandifolius in most shade and it has flowered, but it hasn't grown very fast.

What state are you located in?

I've been working outside, and I noticed my mayhaw is starting to bloom - there are many types of hawthorns/crataegus that make beautiful small trees.
{{gwi:332362}}
Sherry

Thanks for all the help! I think I'll try a Carolina silverbell and a serviceberry...both are natives, which fits well with our Carolina backyard ideas. We'll see how they turn out in so much shade--I hope you are right, and we're pleasantly surprised! It can't hurt to plant a tree; that's what's so great about it. =)

Mine may be sooner, but yours is prettier, esh! My pitiful tree is out in the woods all bent over by the hurricane. It's making new growth straight up from the base, so eventually I'll cut back the bent over part and let the new, multiple trunks be the tree.
I planted quite a few parsley hawthorns last year, since that's the type that's common in this area and one of my favorites - the leaves really do look like parsley to me. Sure hope it grows a lot this year!
Sherry