Persimmon or sour cherry tree?

I need to plant a tree this year to replace a beautiful, old, deeply beloved, Japanese maple tree that we had to take down last year because of terminal bacterial infection.  I know I can't plant another Japanese maple in the same spot, and I want to plant something functional and native.  The spot gets full sun, and is on a slope, though our soil is pretty clay-ey.  I'm thinking either persimmon or some kind of cherry tree - would really appreciate thoughts and input.  

2nd the dogwood idea -- they have beautiful graceful form and beautiful flowers. If you like white flowers, you can get the cherokee princess cultivar or go with pink if you prefer it. In the fall, their leaves become a gorgeous red, the cherokee princess is extra red in the fall.

http://www.raveplants.com/plant-selections/flowering-trees/cherokee-princess-dogwood.html

Another nice option is the eastern redbud, which has beautiful pinkish purple flowers all over (including on the bark!) in the spring.

Both do not grow too tall.

Sweetsnuggles said:
How about a flowering dogwood?

Thanks for the suggestions! I hadn't realized that dogwood stays visually interesting into the fall - and now realize that I have been admiring people's eastern redbuds on walks to the train for the last few years. Will consider both!

crankythecrane said:
 I hadn't realized that dogwood stays visually interesting into the fall - and now realize that I have been admiring people's eastern redbuds on walks to the train for the last few years. Will consider both!

Dried sour cherries are great.

I planted a small sour cherry tree in a sunlight-challenged spot a few years back. It did not do well. 

You have full sun.  Put it to good use.

Go native please! It will help the over all environment. Red Bud, native persimmon or even a pin/sour cherry - would fit in nicely and help the birds and bees. 

Thanks for the input. Yes, native is one of the key criteria here!