Ok, so before I take down my elm tree, I really want a plan in place for a new one [View all]

I live in zone 7a, very near the Chesapeake Bay (so brackish salt water) My house faces N/NE. My elm is now about 65 to 70 feet tall, and I don't know if I can use some of the wood when it comes down, or do they recycle that, or is there something I should do about it? Anyway...

Some recs were the sweet gum tree, but they do a bit better a little more south of me, and they drop little prickly thingies that aren't going to cut it.

I don't want a sycamore tree, because I don't want to deal with those whirling things.

I don't want to go from a 65ft tall something to a fifteen foot tall crepe myrtle, so I want something substantial, and maybe one with more of a Spring show than a fall one, but both would be amazing.

Let me know what you think...