Yellowwood, numerous Magnolia's (the yellow ones are about the size you want), Manchurian Striped Maple, Persian Ironwood, Fragrant Epaulette Tree, Golden Rain Tree, Amur Maakia, are all possibilities.

Purple Robe Locust, Hornbeam, and Hop Hornbeam are fine choices too but fairly ho-hum (except for the Locust).

I will be googling all of those -- thanks! I like the sound of the P.R. locust, but wonder how effective its dappled shade will be to cool the house

Having alkaline clay removes a bunch of trees from consideration.

I would do some driving around your area, both in housing areas as well as parks and see what you notice that you like. If you can't ID it, take several photos that include the whole tree, some branching, and leaves to get it IDed here or on the Name that Plant forum. Then you can research whether it suits your needs.

You could also do a search on the Missouri Botanic Garden's Plant Finder database, which allows you to put in various requirements such as zone, soil, height, flowers, etc.

"The Manchurian Striped Maple and Epaulette Tree would not do well at your location."

@arbordave...they do well in mine (5b, clay, 7.2-7.5 pH). What were your criteria for ruling them out?

For one, that Ohio clay can be nasty stuff (speaking from personal experience). OP also said location is mostly sun and dries out in summer. Plus there's usually more summer heat in most of OH than up here. Maybe if the site was more shade than sun and irrigated, but I've observed both striped maples and epaulette trees with frost cracks and stem cankers down there. Epaulettes also become chlorotic in higher pH soils. Both species would probably be OK in the lake effect region in NE Ohio, especially where the soils are less alkaline.

Nyssa sylvatica, blackgum, is a solid non large tree.

30-40 ft. is a medium height tree. Unfortunately now you will have to wait many years for a new tree to replace the amount of shade the pear generated. For instance say you plant something that grows about 1 ft. per year on your site. If it is 5 ft. tall at planting time then you will be waiting ~35 years for it to reach 40 ft.

Unless the American species is somewhat more cold hardy I would expect Acer tegmentosum to do well in same regions as moose-wood, and not be successful where that closely similar species also fails.

Nursery grown locusts often have problems with breakage when young.

I like the Yellowwod (Cladrastis) suggestion. We don't know your age or level of patience, but Embothrium's insight might be something to consider, which is why I'd consider Cladrastis. Once established, it can put on 2'-3' of annual growth. If you should go this route, understand this tree's tendency for weak branch attachment. Sound familiar?

I appreciate the discussion and will be researching the suggestions -- very good ones I think.

Maackia and Embothrium, I expect to be in this house another 10 years (perhaps) so being very concerned about roof shade may indeed be unrealistic. I believe that I have read that fast growing trees tend to be short lived and/or weak.

Depending on the insurance that I hope to get for the incident (the pear did some damage to the house and the car when it fell) I may spring for a larger tree to start -- I have a connection to a local wholesale tree farm so might be able to get a good deal on one.

NHBabs, thanks for the tip about the plant finder -- I will check it out.

Maackia looks very interesting, as does blackgum (I at first thought you were suggesting sweetgum - yikes!); many Magnolias do well here. I would go for a dogwood, native to this area and very pretty but they run smaller than I hope for.

I found a list of trees recommended for my area, trees of the height I'd like on it are:

Yellowwood

State Street Maple

Galaxy Magnolia

Hornbeam

Magnifica Hackberry (hackberry is a tree that "volunteers" a lot around here)

Canada Red Chokecherry

Sour gum is a fine tree but is neither fast- nor smalI-growing.

Hackberry will grow large. Chokecherry is very prone to pests/diseases (esp black knot). Others on your updated list are OK. State Street Maple will grow relatively large even though it's often referred to as a medium sized tree. Blackgum (sourgum) may not be happy in your high pH clay.

American Yellowood (Cladrastis kentuckea) is beautiful and tolerates alkaline clay, but is vulnerable to wind. Winter King Hawthorn (Crataegus viridis 'Winter King' ) would work, and be more wind tolerant.

ive reread a couple times.. where did he say he is in OH? ... trees dont mind clay.. its all about properly transplanting them in clay.. allowing them the couple years.. to work their roots into said clay ...

if in fact you are in OH ... OSU should have tons of tree resources available online ...

i prefer oaks over everything .. and in sand.. in my MI ... they grow 3 to 5 feet per year ...

but the bottom line.. i am thinking.. you arent going to get much shade on top of a house.. in your lifetime.. no matter what you plant .. unless you are about 16 years old.. lol ... i call it thinking in TREE TIME ...

your local tree frarm.. should be in the best situation to discuss what tree would be best.. in your local area ...

ken

"ive reread a couple times.. where did he say he is in OH?"

Profile page...

trees don't mind clay

Depends entirely on what kind they are. Different species all have their own environmental parameters, including soil types.

edlincoln, I've seen some beautiful hawthorns around town; it is a favorite of mine. But, I planted 2 crusader hawthorns out back about 12 years ago -- they were so heavily affected by cedar quince rust that I ended up taking them out after about 6 years of trying to fight it.

I've a neighbor who has a lovely Yoshino Cherry of about the right height -- what do you all think about that?

Maybe some sort of linden would fit the bill? Little leaf linden?

For a white flowering cherry I'd give Snow Goose the edge over Yoshino for your location. Probably has better hardiness and pest/disease resistance.

Adding to my list, thanks everyone. Still waiting to hear from insurance whether they will help with the cost of clearing the fallen tree. The adjuster is making noises that sound rather negative.

Yoshino cherries are beautiful but somewhat temperamental and short lived.

There are many varieties of hawthorn...some more resistant to cedar quince rust then others.

Ohio buckeye