What about a dogwood? We have planted a black gum tree and a birch in our yard. In about five years the black gum tree is now about 20 ft tall. The birch we just planted this year. Also ... what about one of those weeping cherry trees I know that they are expensive but oooh they are gorgeous and small. The other one that comes to mind that I know do well in SW PA is the crabapple tree. Let us know what you to decide to plant and how it does for you.

Consider a serviceberry.

How about a "Pink Dogwood."

Here is a link that might be useful: Pink Dogwood

What ever tree you do settle on, be cautious of the ornamental pears. Aristocrat is a variety that grows vertically but the pears tend to have soft wood which makes their scaffolding suceptable to high wind damage. How about the newer Magnolias that are hardy to our Western PA zones?

Here is a website that gives you information on problems with dogwoods. Your best bet would be to go with a Kousa dogwood. They are beautiful and come in a shrubby form and a tree form. You might look into the Hydrangeas in a tree form like Pee Gee, or a Japanese Tree Lilac.

Here is a link that might be useful: Dogwood problems