A tree that gets tall enough (to walk under the canopy I presume) and with a broad enough canopy to reach out over that bench (which looks maybe 5 or 6 feet away, plus you want it to extend past the bench)...I'm guessing the canopy will have to have a radius of at least 8 feet, maybe 10 to be on the safe side? If that canopy must start at least 5 feet up off the ground, once the tree is larger, and I'm guessing (very roughly) the tree will have a bare trunk about as tall as the canopied section (which may need to be taller than the bare trunk, actually)...

Am I sensing the tree needs to be at least 12 feet tall, maybe more like 15 to 20, with a spread of 20 feet total (10 feet out from the trunk)? Since many trees have a total height & spread that are roughly similar...

You need a 20 foot tall tree with a 20 foot canopy spread, at least?

Would something a bit smaller do?

A tree with that mature size will take quite some years to get there, most likely.

What is the LARGEST height & canopy spread you'd accept?

Richard.

i am sorry.. but i can not focus on that micro picture ...

is the redbud dead??? and is it the leafless tree there..

and where are you ...

and how much sun??

and how far is it from the house???

ken

Cornus kousa or our native Cornus florida dogwoods do well in your area?

W/O assurances like your neighbor has one which is 20 ft tall I would be leary of the cold hardiness claims of acer palmatum japanese maples. There may be a couple superior maple choices for the size you want anyway.

Check out Acer griseum. I question if it is good in ABSOLUTE full sun, but it looks like your yard is well landscaped and something has to take some heat off it(like the shade from the house?)

Here is a link that might be useful: paperbark maple.

Ken - maybe you know this trick already? Click on the picture, press and hold down Ctrl then twirl your mouse wheel. Works for teeny type too.

Here is another picture taken about 9:30am today. This is the most shade it ever gets!
In answer to the above questions
We live in chicago area. This was planted fall 2010.
The front of the house faces south. The sun bakes the house, door, everything.
The tree would be about 18 feet from the house.
The plantings get full sun all day.
The redbud has verticilium wilt and we are removing it.
But we want to avoid a " 2 lollipop" look (see maple tree at right front edge of house)
No fruits or berries that would drop or stain the stone.
I want to take that opportunity to plant something that will shade the bench in the afternoon when the sun is coming from the west (thus wanting the canopy but does not have to extend over the walkway)
We can plant this new tree closer to the back of the bench by about 2 feet.
In order to really use the bench, we would like quicker growing if possible.
If we cant get a planting that would shade the bench, i'm looking for something pretty that will balance that area.
Thank you so much for your help!
{{gwi:350735}}

If the redbud has verticillium, then any maple is out! Both the crabapple and dogwood are suitable VW resistant choices but unlikely to supply much of a canopy any time soon.

Something a little less common could be a form of Katsura. Cercidiphyllum japonicum 'Heronswood Globe' will provide a dappled canopy about 15-20' tall and as wide. And great, fragrant fall color.

Thanks for your help. Also recommended were serviceberry as an ornamental. Or hornbeam and yellowwood. And river birch. Thoughts? Thanks.