If you leave the Pin oak it will be too big? Is that the problem? You may need to have trees pretty far from the garden.I guess it will be best to wait for pics.

Thanks Ken, I'll do some more research online. I agree, I'm not looking for a very fast growing tree as I know the problems with such trees. I'm fine with 2-3' of growth each year. It just looks like most Oaks will outgrow my yard, probably not while I'm in the house but I don't want it to be a problem for the next owner. The tree would be 20-30' from my house and my neighbors. I would be sold on the Blackgum but they are hard to find and hard to transplant. I'd hate to waste another year on a Blackgum that ends up dying, but maybe I'm worrying too much. As for the Shantung maple, I don't need to plant anything under it, but it may be somewhat close to a stone patio I will install in the near future, so I wouldn't want the roots to become a problem with that. So I think I'm between Blackgum and Shantung Maple now. Eastern Redbud is another option, but from what I read they are relatively short-lived. Am I right in avoiding Oaks due to the size? Or will it look ok 30-50 years from now towering over my house?

Just get straight glyphosate - it doesn't have to be RoundUp specifically and there are less expensive brands of this herbicide on the market (Ferti-lome sells a product called Killzall that is less than half the price of the equivalent concentration and size of RoundUp). If you do go with the RoundUp, just select the Weed and Grass Killer - no need for any other additions to the mix. As I noted previously, you may very well need several applications and it is suggested to allow at least 2 weeks after the last treatment before reseeding. And it is too early to reseed - too hot and too dry for most northern, cool season grasses to germinate well. Generally, the ideal time for fall seeding is early fall - September to early October, depending on your specific climate. And any cool season turf grass blend recommended for your area is fine. Most independent garden centers - not the box stores - will have blends that are appropriate for your area.

One thing to consider that I haven’t seen mentioned is that there are trees just on the other side of the fence. You will have tree roots in the soil back there, and you may find tilling difficult. If you cut tree roots, they often grow back aggressively from the cut ends, but if you do too much damage, you may cause issues for the trees that will reduce the screen you currently have, either of which may be a problem. Before making further plans or going to town with a tiller, I would do some investigation with a shovel. You may need to end up with moving the bed out from the fence somewhat or adding a shallow layer of new soil and organic matter to help new plants establish.