Yoshino cherry (as many trees in the genus Prunus) are not long lived. It looks like you got a full life out of it. If you liked the tree, you should put another of same back in it's place, unless there is a known problem circulating with that tree. (Check with local county extension agent.) If you're ready for a change, then, a different one. Redbuds and Jap. maples probably both do well there. But look around the town and see what trees in that size category thrive.

Thanks a million. I feel like I am on the right track, and I think I will go with the Japanese Maple this time.
Lisa

There are no regrets with a Jap. Maple. You will like it.

Most Japanese maples will not be happy in all day sun in a hot, southern climate. Just saying...........

We had many happy jap maples in atlanta. It's pretty southern and pretty hot. If it's a much different climate than that, Gardengal makes a good point. (I take it for granted that one does their research on whether or not plants will be happy in a given locale.)

We had a redbud in our front garden that lasted about 15 years.... talk about a shallow root system! One day in full bloom it just upended out of the wet spring ground and had to be hauled away. We replaced it with a 15ft Natchez crape myrtle that is very happy and gets full sun every day.

I don't really like Japanese maples. We have one at our office building and to my eye it looks very contrived and stylized. Everyone else seems to be crazy for them, though. Ours is very healthy but is in shade in at least a half day.

Either should work. I am in the south and have two japanese maples they both get a good bit of sun and we have had no problems with them. We also have redbuds all over the place and no problems. Actually, we have had redbuds since I was a small child and I don't remember any problems. My dad still has redbuds from when they first cleared and built their house - and that was at least 50 years ago. I didn't realize that redbuds have shallow root systems.

A crape myrtle would work and grow fast. I love my magnolia trees, but they are slow growers, as are oaks. What about another type of maple? We've also had good luck with crabapple trees and they have beautiful blooms.