And really attractive growth pattern

It could be a Magnolia.

Great. Good news NHBabs. Yes, I've never noticed the early flowering Cornus florida until last few days. These pics are from Apr 13, so Saturday when I go back to the client the buds will be open.

I don't know if they are Cornus florida or Cornus kousa or I think there might be one more species not hardy in my area that has large flowers.

Buds and habit of tree shown here appear to be those of Cornus florida. Hedge should be pruned late spring-early summer, cannot be cut back past outer shell of live foliage or a bald area ("dead zone") will result.

Our native Pacific Dogwood (Cornus nutallii ) isn't really planted--too susceptible to Anthracnose. But Eddie's White Wonder is early flowering, according to GPP. Love their "Geek Notes":Originated by British Columbia nurseryman and rosarian Henry Matheson Eddie (1881-1953) in 1945. United States Plant Patent #2413 bestowed in 1964. Awarded an Award of Merit 1972, a First Class Certificate in 1977, and an Award of Garden Merit by the Royal Horticultural Society (RHS). Dr. Gerald Straley ("Trees of Vancouver" 1992) noted that the original crosses were done during the late 1930's and 1940's. "The crosses involved both white and pink Eastern Dogwood (Cornus florida) and our native Western Dogwood (Cornus nuttallii). Most of the seedlings were lost to a flood in 1947 in the Fraser Valley, but one of the best seedlings had been moved to Richmond and this is the one from which all of the 'Eddie's White Wonder' have been propagated.Guess I'll find out more tomorrow when I'll see it in flower...

Form/habit is much more comparable to Cornus florida or kousa or one of their hybrids. Eddie's White Wonder has a much taller and looser habit, similar to its parent Cornus nuttallii. And is also an earlier bloomer....should be bloom now!

severely leaning away from it. If its' something the client wants to keep, I'll have to aggressively prune the Thuja.

==>>> i wouldnt mess with the thuja.. it looks fantastic.. and if you cut it back hard.. it wont ...

and that will not make the tree grow straighter ... besides the fact it isnt a tree where we are worried its going to fall on the house.. or crush somebody or something ...

in other words.. to my eye.. its not broken.. so dont fix it ... hopefully you can make the owner understand that ...

part of the problem of understanding that.. or why you/they cant see it.. is that its leafless right now .... leafed out.. the combination might be stunning ... in fact.. one might guess.. that the tree was pruned away from the thuja ...so as to not impact that gorgeous green curtain ...

ken