If you order online, the tree will probably be tiny and take a while to get to even 5 feet. Just know what you're ordering.

OP here. Thanks!!

16:12 reporting back that the Stadler tree sale is on! The Dura Heat river birch we bought from them three seasons ago is thriving.

Merrifield in Gainesville has a large selection. They answered all of our questions and were very helpful.

I also have gorgeous river birches, two of them. I planted them from mail order saplings that were just little sticks. Well, I planted three, and one died after a small number of years, not sure why. But the other two are thriving. Love the peeling bark and the drooping branches. I've never seen river birch called a weed tree, nor have I noticed any growing as volunteers. I haven't seen an aphid problem on my river birches, in MoCo.

I have a river birch and it's gorgeous. Some of the branches drooped to the ground, and I trimmed them up (very carefully, read up on DIY beforehand). It has a lovely canopy and is a lyrically pretty tree. No problems with anything except lot of twig drop after heavy storms.

Very big selection at Merrifield’s location in Fairfax. Worth the trip.

Depending on where you live you can also get free trees planted by the County. I live in MoCo and, though in the landscape business, I’ve gotten 4 maples and 2 oaks planted.

A river birch is basically a weed tree. Yes it grows fast and I can easily get even 25’ + high trees they are not the nicest trees and have a huge aphid problem around here

hugely helpful, thanks!

American Plant is great for selection and for research. Every fall, Stadler runs an online tree sale that includes the planting cost, so that's a more economical way to plant a nice tree. I think it's usually in late September/early October.

https://www.stadlergardencenters.com/trees/purchasing.php

Couple of thoughts. First, it is unlikely a good idea to put a tree right where the old tree came down. There will be a lot of settling happening in the soil for a while. Check with a pro. Start with this short article: https://todayshomeowner.com/when-to-replant-a-tree-after-having-a-stump-removed/

Call Casey trees and/or River Smart homes. You can get the right tree for the right spot for free or highly subsidized.

Last resort, I have fond the arborist at American Plant (closest to the beltway) to be be very informed and honest.

Buying trees from nursery will cost you. Have you considered online?

We just had to have a 2 story tall sizable dead tree cut down and removed from right in the middle of the front lawn. Can you advise which nurseries have a good selection of trees? I'm normally pretty cheap and not afraid of yard sweat equity. I think for this I need to have it professionally planted to be sure it's deep enough and correct. I am thinking of a river birch. We live in NW DC but I'm happy to drive.

thanks