How about this list of ornamental trees (25 feet tall or less) for your space?
Bigelow Oak
Birds of Paradise
Mexican Buckeye
Red Buckeye
Desert Willow
Little Gem Magnolia
Possomhaw holly
Redbud
Vitex
Yaupon holly

I found this list at the Texas Smartscape website using their plant search database. I know the links they have are for North Central and West Texas, but I believe these will also grow down there in zone 9. Ask your local nurseryman about them.

Here is a link that might be useful: Texas Smartscape

You can grow a small Oak tree. I have a Lacy Oak(Oak wilt resistant and all) that gets 30ft tall and a 25-30 ft crown. Leaves come in pink/mauve/orange and turn green later. It's deciduous. I like Denisew's suggestions too.
Also,Rusty Blackhaw Viburnum tree. It's around 20x20,gorgeous fall color and wildlife friendly.PJ

Maybe someone can help you who lives in Zone 9 as that is where you must live.That is a important decision to make as a mistake would not be any better than you have now.Jessie

You might want to check out website Texas native trees.

Don't forget Mexican Plum. They get to be around 20' x 20'.

A shantung maple is another option, same size and a fast grower.

Lacey's Oak

So if one was looking, probably not until spring, FOR a lacey/lacy oak...where would I find one? I have access to anywhere near Houston, and I spend some time in College Station as well.

Most of the stores around here carry live oak--it's a beautiful tree, but it's huge in my neighbors front yard. Living in a subsidence district...I gotta watch the tree roots as well. And...if I have the tree taken out and the stump ground...is that going to be enough to allow me to dig a good sized hole and amend in order to plant another tree? I don't want to cripple the poor thing before I get started.

If it's OK, I would like to pass some information on to you about trees. I have taken approximately 30 hours of Master Gardening tree programs, and I am on the Aransas County Tree Team. The main problem that we see with trees down here in south Texas is that many trees that get planted don't do well because they can't adapt to the region. Certain trees need certain criteria.

Although you don't state where you live in Texas, I have to assume that since you are in Zone 9, that you are probably somewhere on or at least near the Texas coast. And generally the upper Texas coast has acidic soil unlike the south Texas coast which tends to have more alkaline soils.

If you check out Lacey Oak on the TAMU website which I provided, you will note that the Lacey Oak needs state: Soil Requirements: alkaline.

I don't care if you want to plant it, but before planting maybe you might want to do a little research on which trees do well in your region. It can save you time and money in the long run. Also check with your county extension office and see if there is a Master Gardener group that can make some tree suggestions for you, and they should be able to answer all or at least most of your questions regarding tree planting.

Good luck!

I agree the best way to find a tree to meet your requirements is to go to your county extension. They will have specialist there like "ltcollins" that can guild you in the right direction. Once you narrow it down, do research until you find the perfect one for you. I wish I had done that several years back when I started planting trees. It would have saved me from problems I am facing today. Good luck.

I vote for shantung maple. Much faster growth than Lacey oak for the same size. I like lacey oak but just grows too slowly esp when you need shade. Shantung maple is on Texas Superstar list like Lacey oak.

For your smaller yard, check out chinese pistache on the aggie horticulture list of "texas superstars." It's very tolerant of heat, drought, adverse soil conditions (differing soil types) and has gorgeous fall color. They look a bit stringy or awkward in the pots, and for the first year or so, but after that the shape becomes beautiful and round and the leaves are an interesting shape...it becomes a beautiful medium-sized tree. It's relatively fast-growing, good for both shade and ornamental value.

For small areas.....LACEY OAK !!!

For your needs, do you want ornamental or shade?

If you want shade, try Chinquapin Oak, or Chinese Pistachio. Shumard Red Oak is also a good choice.

If you want ornamental, I really like my Kwanza Cherry. It doesn't get real large, but it is very healthy, and has gorgeous blooms in spring.

All of those are deciduous. The only semi-evergreen trees are Live Oak and Yaupon Holly tree form.

Here is website for TAMU Superstars.

I live in suburbs south of Houston. Dirt here is that lovely clayey gumbo that holds water and then cracks like bricks in the summer. Don't worry, I'll research exhaustively before I ever choose one. I'm just like that. :) Will see if Harris County has an extension office that wants to make some suggestions.

I'm not wanting to make a mistake. I seriously wish the builders had thought a bit more before planting Arizona ash thirty years ago. They do have beautiful color in the fall, but the mess of the female tree in my backyard and the weak borer prone wood are definitely not a plus.

rick_mcdaniel... We just bought two Kwanza Cherry Trees for our front yard. I am so excited, I can't wait to get them. Do you have any pictures of yours?
Thanks...

Dunno if I have any or not. Both years I got ready to take some, the storms/hail ruined the flowers.

Take my word for it, though.....it is a great ornamental tree, that stays a comfortable size, and the flowers are beautiful, untio the spring storms get to them. Big, double blooms.

I will see if I have any pics I have forgotten about.

Don't think you want live oak. Spreads laterally much more than say chinquapin oak. Lacey oak is perfect size but if your soil is highly acid or if you have lots of rain. In that case, willow oak is better choice.

There are many crabapple trees that would fit your space perfectly too. Below is a link to a PDF document that gives you some helpful information on choosing the right crabapple tree. I know it is for Kansas, but the information it contains can be used anywhere.

Here is a link that might be useful: Flowering Crabapple Trees

Rick - Where did you buy the Kwanza Cherry Tree ?

Thanks
Anu