Focal point garden tree - succession planning or not?

[Catname]

We have a beautiful, spreading, 50 year old flowering cherry which is a major focal point in our garden. Sadly, it’s had better days: many branches have very few leaves and we have some kind of fungus growing on it that a tree surgeon said was indicative of the tree not being very well. Whilst it will probably last a few more years, we will, at some point lose it.

If you have been in the same position, how have you handled it? Did you wait till it fell down before replanting or did you plant something else near to the old tree to have it establish before the old tree was removed? I’m actually thinking of 2-3 Phormiums so the risk of the fungus spreading shouldn’t be an issue 🤞

I planted a replay
Cement tree in a better position, and then had the old tree removed, when there were nesting season had ended. I hate getting rid of trees though and on,y did so because the old tree was in danger of affecting my neighbours foundations. Even dead trees support a lot of wildlife.

A replacement tree

It’s so sad that we have to consider losing it as it is one of the things that makes our house attractive to look at but it has obviously had and lost a number of large stems growing from the rootstock. It isn’t doing any damage to foundations but planting some alternative now will make it easier when the time comes.