Not sure I'd agree with above :-) Depends on the effect you are looking for. For a smallish tree with a relatively narrow habit and interesting foliar effect, not a bad choice. In my climate the deep purple-red holds well into summer and even then the foliage has a bit of a purplish cast. And very nice fall color - more varied than the straight species. But If you are NOT on the look out for reddish foliage on a smallish, narrow little tree, then by all means go for the species - majestic trees in time with handsome, almost fool-proof foliage.

>Three feet?I have taped hundreds of trees, have the impression the diameter being a third of the circumference is fairly consistent. So a trunk 9' around may be roughly 3' in diameter. The one Cercidiphyllum japonicum was 10' 11' around 20 years ago, chances are it was at least 3' through if not more than that - it certainly looked to be. 20 years ago. Vigorously growing individual trees are sometimes found to be adding girth surprisingly rapidly, the big Quercus robur on the watered lawn at the Washington State Capitol campus for instance.

Has been prevalent on the retail market here in the past. Mine made an elevated table about 12'-15' across before being overwhelmed by a rose, which I think has now killed it. I'd rather have C. japonicum 'Morioka Weeping' (C. magnificum 'Pendulum') as that has apical dominance, grows up to make a much more impressive tree in the manner of Fagus sylvatica 'Pendula'.

I would not consider the reputed root sprouting of the 'Frisia' to be a guaranteed thing :-) I am aware of a number of mature ones planted locally (including one in my old garden) that have never produced root shoots. They are pretty intense in color, but depending on placement and your personal aesthetic, that may be a bonus, not a distraction. I've also not encountered Parrotia to have many issues in this climate......certainly not one with hardiness nor summer dryness. The list of suggested 'trees' (several are just large shrubs) includes many that are seldom seen in this area and not often carried in local nurseries. If they come so highly regarded or recommended it seems odd that they are seldom seen or offered. The oaks in particular are worth further consideration however most are not what are commonly considered to be 'fast growing'. Aside from specific growing condition that must be addressed, selecting something as significant or as long-term a landscape feature as a tree should be something that is determined by personal choice, not by recommendations from a book or article or even by participants in a gardening forum. If you can, visit some local public gardens - perhaps the UBC garden - local parks and your favorite larger nurseries and see what's on offer and what you like. A large number of extremely attractive, mostly trouble-free and very ornamental trees grow well in our climate and once established, require minimal summer watering.