Tree planting suggestion--Verticillium resistant?

Question

I lost all the trees in my front yard except one American Redbud to what I suspect is Verticillium wilt. I have pulled the saplings, and I have cut one large tree down with one more to go, then the stump grinding. We plan on moving within the next 5 years, so I am planting for the next owner, I realize. I live in Nashville (zone 6).

1) What is a fast growing, full afternoon sun, nice replacement tree that isn't invasive like a Chinese Tallow?

2) I am considering a weeping willow as one replacement. How far away from my water line/foundation should I plant it?

3) How much of an effect could younger trees have on the value of my house? (i.e. do I NEED a fast growing replacement like a poplar or Leyland Cypress or could a beech ir birch suffice?)

4) I dislike Bradford Pears, so please don't recommend them.

Answer 1

I am currently trying to save a rather old vine maple so I understand your difficulty. Trees add grace and depth to a planting so they are worth replacing with resistant trees. Beech trees at full growth can cover 1/4 acre so need a lot of room to reach full potential.
The fast growing trees have problems with longevity. They often drop branches or die easily. So for resale a 'safe' tree is preferable. Willows drop twigs and branches easily and need a regular supply of water to look their best. They are so large at maturity they need to be more than 20 feet from the house. Perhaps the Dwarf Weeping Willow, Salix caprea 'Kilmarnock', to only 6' would be good. My favorite of the willow trees is the contorted willow but again they really need water. Also these are columnar so do not work as shade trees. But the advantage of a weeping or contorted form is no matter what size they are eye catching.
http://www.djroger.com/contorted_willow1.htm

The other choices for the contorted form include;
Harry Lauders walking Stick, Corylus avellana 'Contorta', is a contorted hazelnut and has been in cultivation since 1863.
http://www.ars-grin.gov/ars/PacWest/Corvallis/ncgr/cool/contorta.html
http://www.daytonnursery.com/Encyclopedia/Trees_Shrubs/Corylus.htm

The parasol Beech, Fagus sylvatica ‘Tortuosa' I think this is a wonderfull looking tree if you could find one. http://www.whitmoresinc.com/Deciduous.html
http://woodyplants.nres.uiuc.edu/plant/fagsyto

There is even an evergreen contortionist, the Contorted White Pine, Pinus strobus ‘Contorta'.

Maybe a weeping birch would be a better choice. Young's weeping Birch Betula pendula ‘Youngii’ is smaller than Betula pendula. There is even a purple leaved Betula pendula purpurea.
http://woodyplants.nres.uiuc.edu/plant/betpepu


Dogwoods are moderately slow growing. Cornus kousa the chinese dogwood is healthy and offers flowers and fall color. I have two and the one in more shade is taller and vase shaped but the one in full sun has adopted a denser lollipop shape. They are both still small at 9' & 16 ' after 7 years
http://www.ces.ncsu.edu/depts/hort/consumer/factsheets/trees-new/cornus_kousa.html

Answer 2

for eye catching, try beech fagus sylvatica 'riversii', (grayish white trunk, glossy dark chocolate leaf) or birch betula 'medwedewii (yellow and orange in autumn, grows as wide as tall).' these would look so good together, a departure from the same old same old green.