Mike I'd really reconsider that willow! Not just for the reasons you stated but when I was a kid we had one and mid summer on it was COVERED in little black bugs but the real kicker was the willow roots breaking the basement wall in it's relentless search for water. Willows are nice when they are far from your house and there's a pond between it and the house. Once they get big they are a high risk tree for breaking in storms. In a couple years you'll really enjoy the Vanilla Strawberry hydrangea! I've a few in my garden and they put on a great show.
