Hello Blake, where are you? So I don't suggest the wrong tree.

If it is zone appropriate I love the tulip tree mentioned above. Select in fall and you'll even get good fall color.

Google Metasequoia and Nyssa sylvatica aslo and see if they are right for your area. You have a nice yard. I might consider limbimg up the Metasequoia for a more formal look.

The tulip tree is definitely on the list. I would love to have great fall color as well. I'm located in SC - Zone 8a.

i'll look up the Metasequoia as soon as I get the opportunity!

what do you mean by LARGE ... as in a large transplant .. or large potential ...

and you seem to say.. one tree ... why not more???

will this be a DIY job ...frankly.. this limits size imo ...

sorry i dont know z8 or SC ... i will leave that to others ...

how about you google up your county extension or soil conservation dist web site.. or go old school and call them .. and ask for a list of trees they would recommend.. then ask us about that list ...

if DIY ... see link for planting .. and for watering.. also in regard to the front trees ..

timing is of the essence.. and july/august is usually not tree planting time.. unless you can get a warranty ... so.. imo .. plan out a fall planting time..

ken

https://sites.google.com/site/tnarboretum/Home/planting-a-tree-or-shrub

I second the county extension. When we moved to our area and started looking for what trees to plant, some of the ones around town I liked were on the do not plant list because of this disease, or that problem. Glad we checked, because the nurseries, and big box stores still sell these troubled trees in our area.

Thanks to all for the tips / advice.

Ken - Large tree as in, will grow large. One that I can plant on my own... and would prefer several trees, not just one.

Will do some research with the county extension too. I have used them before for several other projects.

Insufficient data. Does the area flood? Is the soil sandy, muddy, compacted, clay, salty, alkaline, or acidic? What threats will the tree face? Is the area windy? Any local epidemics of tree diseases? How close to the house and fence will the tree be? What do you want in a tree? How patient are you?

Tulip trees are a good choice if you have the space. Nysa sylvatica is a good choice if you have the patience.

Tulip trees grow fast, are immune to a lot of recent epidemics, and have big flowers. Problem is they get huge and are vulnerable to wind.

Nyssa sylvatica have great fall color, strong wood, and immunity to a lot of recent diseases. Trick is they grow slowly and are hard to transplant.

Black Maple Sugar Maple, and Sweetgum are all classic choices for fall color. Scarlet Oak, Sassafras, and hickory are less common options.

It doesn't have good fall color and is hard to transplant, but I like beech.

Here's a list of recommended trees in SC from the forestry commission. Thoughts?

Which way is north? I like to keep the winter sunshine by planting deciduous trees to the south. They give shade in the summer and let the sun through in the winter.

You should probably think large evergreen trees first, then deciduous trees and work on down from there when planning.

Blake, you've got nearly unlimited space there. As such, it would be entirely appropriate to select the largest-growing types. I'm not going to quibble about this or that species.....that's your job! But you can safely ignore those who will tell you yards are no place for large-growing species. In cases such as this, they most certainly are.

Blake, here's how to add your zone and location info to your profile so it posts automatically with your name and doesn't end up buried in the middle of the post:

Go to Your Houzz in the upper right of every page, click Edit Profile, and on the left side click advanced settings. Well down the advanced settings page is a blank labeled Climate Zone for Garden Forums along with a link to find your zone.

If you add info on your state or the nearest large city you will get even better information since zone only relates to average coldest winter temperatures.

Then return to the top of the page and click Done Editing.

I have not read thru all the answers in this thread, but my first question would be:

What do you use your backyard for? Do you have kids and need a wide-open space to through the ball or frisbee? Do you have animals? Do you want a screen of some kind (deciduous or evergreen) to block out the view of neighbors?

I have a fairly large backyard, but am not going to plop a large tree in the middle, because I like the open space. I rather have added evergreen, more upright smaller trees (hollies, magnolias, Laurels, Osmanthus, etc) along the perimeter for screening.

So I think if you asked a landscaper your question, they would follow up with a ton of questions for you to zero in somehow on what you really want/need -- where the planting(s) would go -- and THEN decide upon plant material. I'm not saying you don't have room for a large tree, but please consider first the usage, then the placement, then the tree.

I would consider a conifer or two or a southern magnolia. I live in a similar type neighborhood and during the winter things are quite naked.

In my KY backyard, we are putting in a couple Chinese hemlock and eastern white pine. They aren't opaque like spruces. We are also wanting to put in a Nyssa.

Also consider different heights and then maybe leave room for things like redbud and dogwood once the big ones get going.