a search provided lots of info
http://www.google.com/search?hl=en&q=Halesia+Carolina

Here is a link that might be useful: lots of info re Halesia Carolina

Silverbell trees are considered choice flowering trees, producing a unique effect in bloom. They also seem to be particularly good for planting among rhododendrons, to provide shade.

"Silverbells are uncommon in Seattle. Little known or grown, most are small trees suckering from their bases. Were the optimal form of this variable assemblage identified and put into the nursery trade, it would surely be a welcome addition to our ornamental flowering tree population. Too many spring flowering trees here (e.g., cherries, crabapples and the like) are relatively unhealthy, fussy, short-lived, pest-ridden, diseased, high-maintenance, or are boring in their ubiquity. Silverbells are low-maintenance trees deserving wider use. They thrive as long as they are not planted in a shady or dry site. Their mere yellow fall color, and dry brown seedpods in winter are strikes against them."

Here is a link that might be useful: Trees of Seattle - Second Edition

Styrax japonica, Japanese snowbell tree, is a great performer in the Portland area.

I have had one around for years. It's in partial shade with no extra water. It does sucker a bit, but not much of a problem like some shrubs. The Fall color is variable, but most of the time pretty good. At least better than Jacobson describes in Trees of Seattle.
Here's the one in my garden showing Fall color.
{{gwi:1071210}}
Looking NW

I've never seen a silverbell do that before. I've seen a Sierra Club calendar photo of one red-leaved aspen stem among hundreds of the normal yellow, as well as a few other similar departures among other species. But never the slightest hint of red pigment in the leaves of a Halesia. The arrangement of the leaves of your tree also looks different - less orderly. What it does look like is a spindle (Euonymus).

Ron, you're right. The books all say yellow leaves with no mention of red. It doesn't quite fit the description of Spindle tree either. I will have to watch it real close this season to get a good handle on the ID. It was sold to me as a Halesia, but it's been so long ago I can't remember where. Thank you for the heads up.

Perfect among those blue conifers, whatever it is.