I hate to bump this thread after so long, but I wanted to make a point to thank everyone for their advice, especially the info on willows which have most definitely been crossed off my list. I’m still wavering, but you guys have provided tons of beautiful and helpful suggestions. Now instead of not having enough good ideas, I’ve got too many! 
I’ve scheduled the removal and plan on asking the tree guy (he does landscaping/plantings too) what he thinks of my soil and how it’d do with some of my potentials. And the watering tube is a great tip–it’ll be perfect for all that fertilizer I need, right lieu? [sub]kidding, kidding…[/sub]
Thanks to all!