I don't have first hand experience in the since of having one. But what I can tell you is that I see them occasionally planted in the area. There are several on the University of Arkansas campus, but those took a hard hit from the worst ice storm on record in Jan 2009. I can't tell you what age they begin to flower, however, the local Sams Club has probable 12-15 of them planted in landscape islands. These were planted as 2" caliper plants, and they began to flower about the third year. They have flowered yearly since. The trees are exceptionally beautiful in flower. As for fall color, I can say nothing about yours, or your climate, but they have been very nice here. Below is some pictures I took last fall. BTW, F&F, I suggest you look at American Smoketree to add to your plants. They would do well in your climate (they need it to be DRY), and have exceptional fall color, along with a unique Aqua summer color. Yellowwood from the University of Arkansas campus. But I missed it's peak. From a local park. Bonus pics. American Smoke Tree in the same local park.

Well considering that I have not been to Wis, and the growing season is considerable shorter, I knew better than to make any assumptions. I simply did not question your assertion. Individual plants often deviate from the species accepted "norm". Our established Acer griseum and triflorum are planted in full sun (supposedly partial shade is better) and each grows 2-3'/yr most years instead of the published 12" or less. "Luck of the draw"? Or are my climate and cultural conditions particularly suited to these species? Or is the accepted "ideal" conditions for these species incorrect? I don't know the answer to that. However a griseum (in full sun and very large highly mulched area) at the local botanical garden is significantly out growing mine. Plus I'm not going to be the person to tell you that you can't believe your own eyes. Much like the person on GW a few years ago that INSISTED Cornus florida can not be grown in full sun despite the fact that probable half of these planted in my area end up in a completely open space in full sun. Next time your co-workers Yellowwood goes profuse, he needs to post some pics of that. ;-) Arktrees

I have gone back and forth between Nyssa and Ginkgo a lot. A lot. Coincidentally, just today I gave up on a Ginkgo Jade Buttterfly and dug it out because it just won't grow and it's trunk wobbles and it can't support its canopy without a stake. It's finally about four feet tall and I wish I could use it. It was a "rescue" I bought very cheaply three years ago from a local nursery and it hasn't ever really recovered. I did put it in a container, still hoping I 'guess, But I can't use it as is. So the only other Ginkgo I thought of choosing is the fastigiate Princeton Sentry. Eventually, larger than I'd like, but at my age, size is not a big worry. So now my decision is which one to put in place of the wayward growing Nyssa. Thinking out loud..... Cladrastis is the better long term choice and I really don't care that much if it never flowers, it just seems attractive whether or not it flowers, but it would be awhile before it looked like a tree.. And Princeton Sentry would be available in a large size, probably it's available from Urban Tree Farm.

You have a good amount of space and lots of options. You have space for a big tree. Unfortunately, all the suggestions your nursery made were terrible. Avoid that nursery. Not many large trees in your zone have both flowers and good fall color. Tulip Tree (Liriodendron tulipifera) and Yellowood (Cladrastis kentukea) have flowers and a decent yellow fall color. Sourwood has white flowers and good fall color but it is finicky. My favorite red leaved tree is copper beech (Fagus sylvatica), but they grow slowly and are finicky. Redbud has pink Spring flowers and some cultivars have red leaves, but the fancy cultivars have trouble surviving Zone 6 snowstorms. Also a bit small. There are some crabapples with pink flowers and red leaves but they also are a bit small. I find people get needlessly paranoid about septic systems. I've never lived in a place that didn't have trees growing on the septic tank. It can be a problem but usually isn't.