I live in zone 7 and need to find some trees appropriate for near the house [View all]

[LaydeeBug]

Right now, there is an Evergreen that needs to come down. The people who lived here before trimmed the bottom branches off of it and it looks weird. Now it's dead or dying, and needs to go. Trouble is, I *love* the shade it provides. I have never once lost power in my years in this home, despite Hurricane Isabel and Hurricane Sandy (Sandy took some roof shingles, but we never once lost power)

I was thinking of a crepe myrtle, but I am not sure. Any suggestions?