A fairly nice tree, my only calm is insignificant fall color.

You like sumac at all? Hehe, that'll grow there and provide big fall color.

+oM

If you are patient and pick one out, Gymnocladus is a great choice. The winter branching, even of a juvenile, is tremendous.

I do agree that trees from the Leguminosae are unbeatable in dry, sterile environments. So much so in fact that on some sun-baked hillsides in the sandy, gravelly areas of N. Wisconsin, Robinia has become quite invasive. Tree doesn't belong up there but given today's conditions, is gradually expanding its range northward. But I digress. Since fall color is one of the desires for this spot, the otherwise woefully overplanted honeylocust might fit the bill. It's not native to dry sites in its natural home but seems able to grow pretty much anywhere.

+oM

Better the KY Coffee tree, or another non-native to WI like Maclura pomifera 'White Shield'. Or if you are truly adventurous, go for a sweet hickory like Carya cordiformis.

Robinia? Mmm, that would be thinking outside the box. I've seen some nice ones and the flowers are pleasant. If this one is on the table, I might as well consider Boxelder. There's a surprising number of cultivars, including one that is touted as having very good fall color. Is there anyone who would admit to planting an Acer negundo? ;)

Whatever I decide to go with, fall color is most likely not going to be the determining factor. Anyhow, I appreciate your input and you've given me a lot to think about. If I was really patient, I'd plant a White Oak and forget about it. :)

They naturally occur on dry sites.

Hadn't even considered Maclura, but I'm a fan after seeing the gorgeous specimen at Starhill Forest. Actually, I'm not sure they're fully hardy in z4, but I've never tried one myself. Carya cordiformis? Looks like I've got some research to do.

To answer your question, Whaas, I might have Scarlet Oak. Actually, I've got a woods full of Q. ellipsoidalis, which I think some taxonomists consider the same as coccinea. I won't get into that arguement, but I'm reluctant to plant anything in the Red Oak group due to the prevalence of Oak Wilt that is rampant here. It's bad.

Can anyone vouche for the tolerance to dry soils of Acer truncatum? There's a Twin Cities nursery that has several of them, and they look very good.

Bob

Cultivation ↑Jump back a section Timber It is important as coppice-wood on marshy ground. The alder is capable of enduring clipping as well as marine climatic conditions. The tree may be cultivated as a windbreak. It adapts to the conditions fast and the young trees also develop rapidly, almost growing about one meter or more in a year. Hence, the alder is an outstanding pioneer species for reinstating forestland or abandoned farmland and other problematic soils that do not support vegetation easily. Its rapid growth provides secluded conditions to establish more lasting forest trees. Besides, as nitrogen-fixing bacteria colonize the roots, it is able to enrich the soil and thereby help the proper growth of other plants which cannot cope with the impoverished conditions. Alder also provides shade to the plants growing below and the leaf fall helps to increase the amount of humus present in the soil. The species is cultivated as a tree in parks and gardens, and the variety 'Imperialis' has gained the Royal Horticultural Society's Award of Garden Merit. [8]

You might also want to consider the Italian Alder (A.cordata) with dainty, slender leaves and a more slender profile.

I think Acer truncatum would be a stretch in zone 4.
Mine was growing unbelieveable quick in a dry sandy soil.
I gave it away as my A x 'Satisfaction' looked very similar, the leave was just a bit more refined and the habit was a bit more columnar.

I'm intrigued by that Maclura pomifera 'White Shield' as well being fruitless and thornless. I know the species is hardy to zone 4 not sure if this plant would be any different.

The two oaks are definitely different. I don't think Quercus ellipsoidalis typically has good fall color or least its inconsistent. What do you see on your trees?
Eitherway I don't blame you for adding more Oak if you have a forest of a plant that is closely related.

I get the gist of what you're saying, but always? What if you could buy a...mmm, let's say...#10 pot for $35 with an apparently healthy root system?