From your photo, it looks like an ash tree, but it's not close enough to tell. Other possibility is a hickory maybe? Same with the disease issue. Too hard to tell from the photo. But, if it is an ash tree, it's probably Ash Anthracnose. It's warm and very wet in Chicago this year, right? Perfect conditions for this: "Ash anthracnose is probably the most common disease of green ash. It is caused by a fungus and occurs during cool, rainy weather. It can be confused with ash plant bug and herbicide damage. Individual trees vary in their susceptibility to anthracnose to the extent that some trees may be infected every year and others only rarely or never at all. Initial symptoms on green ash include very small (grain of sand-sized) purple or brown spots, sometimes with a cream-colored center, on young leaves. These spots may enlarge and coalesce forming brown blotches. Leaves often become distorted and drop and young shoots may be killed. Defoliation and leaf browning cause homeowners a great deal of concern, but treatment is generally not warranted. Affected trees usually put out a second flush of leaves and make up for lost time later in the growing season. However, trees that have been defoliated three to five years in a row might benefit from chlorothalonil, mancozeb or thiophanate treatment at budbreak to prevent infection. The fungus can overwinter on the ground in infected leaves and twigs, so raking and disposing infected material may help reduce infection the following spring." Your main link didn't work for me -- brought up a screen, but no photos, looks like you have to create an account to view them, and I didn't want to do that. Here is a link that might be useful: Pamphlet where I got the Ash Anthracnose info:

J0nd03- that ft.mcnair is a beautiful tree. Ill have to see what the specs are on it as far as tolerances/preferences. Tornado- no offense taken at all, I'm quite long winded myself (I am a car salesman!) and I love taking politics but unfortunately from what I have learned (perhaps its the area we live in?) most discussions about politics/govt matters turn into a pissing contest/yelling match because when someone has a differeing view than I yet cannot support their claims/reasons for their beliefs they get defensive and resort to un civilized behavior. I think it's hilarious but sure you have experenced it as well! ;) I really appreciate the info your giving me. From what I have read/picked up from folks (a good friend of mine is a horticulture major/landscape business owner) these beech trees will maintain their vibrant foliage as long as they are kept hydrated. I'm site the tree in your pics gets pruned/pest control done professionally and regularly but I'm not sure about the watering part too much?

I think your tree looks nice. You must have gotten a lot of plants from that yard! It is very solid green, but it does look very lush and healthy. I agree with Karin that I like contrasting hosta next to each other. Blue and green, stick in a yellow or variegated, etc. Around a tree in back I have golden tiara alternating with halcyon or something similar (not exactly sure). They filled in nicely and contrast well with each other. You already have the tiaras, and sometimes you can get lucky at a nursery and find a hosta with multiple eyes and just divide that up out of the pot, maybe get two or three starts from one. I don't have any Krossa Regal, but it looks like they get quite tall. How tall is the tree you want to plant under? The tree you already did looks like a little guy, growing like a crabapple or something, and it seems like the Kross would be too tall. If you are looking for a little hosta to stick in, last summer I got Gold Drop from Savory. They are in the Twin Cities, so I just saw it in person and really liked it. I was able to divide one into two, and they both came back so beautifully this spring. It was only five bucks, so very cheap, but it provides a nice pop of color, and it seems like a nice, full hosta, very short to go in front of other ones.

Maybe something like Codiaeum variegatum 'Yellow Mamey'?