Native Red Cedar turns into a lovely and stately tree, IMHO, and it provides food and shelter for native wildlife. Plus, if you know anyone with some old farm property, they likely have some that they would be willing to give you for free, and the effort of digging one up.
Amalanchier or Serviceberry/Shadbush, Vernal Witchhazel...both lovely natives and great for supporting native wildlife. They provide welcome blooms for pollinators in early Spring or late Winter, respectively, even before Redbud blooms.
Here is Serviceberry in early April.

Or, how about a Sweet bay Magnolia (M. virginiana)? Smaller than the usual M. grandiflora, and lovely scent to the flowers, though it is deciduous in our zone. Alternatively, "Little Gem" Magnolia (Magnolia grandiflora 'Little Gem') grows to less than 30 feet and is evergreen.

Go native!

Coffeehaus, you are truly part of my mind.. I will look up the native cedar, I am sure I know what it looks like. just need the connection. I am playing with all of these alternatives. and wish my yard had the depth to do several of them. Seriously considering service berry, However, that doesn't provide winter privacy. I am trying to stay on the small side: we have had to remove 5 trees b/c the previous owners did not think ahead, and had 2 others that were lost in storms. I hate taking down a live tree b/c it was knocking over a fence, or threatening the house. Like it's not their fault.

BTW, was that a jelena witch hazel in your photo?

Hamamelis vernalis. I think sometimes referred to as Ozark Witchhazel. It really was lovely in January.

The native red cedar (Juniperus virginiana) WILL grow over 30 feet high, but it is relatively slow growing...depends upon your time frame and for about the next 20-30 years, it should not exceed your 30 foot height range. But I seriously doubt that you'll find these trees for sale at your local nursery. Most folks consider them just scrubby succession growth, but they can be stately if limbed up so that the trunk shows.

You are to be saluted for having the courage to get rid of trees that are planted in unsuitable locations. Too many people just live with the landscaping that they inherit with their house or from their builder, and soon the overgrown shrubs and trees just become part of the background and the inhabitants no longer even notice that the house or utility line is overwhelmed by the landscape plants.

Best of luck!

Thank you, I will check them all out. My first thought was witch hazel. Is that the variety that is native to VA? I require a low canopy b/c of the perennials. I still have some pines along the back, and really miss the privacy on the side. Thank yoa again for your suggestions.

oops, coffeehaus! My lack of geography precedes me.