Name that tree!

hi Joy, maybe you could ask the people in the house who had chopped it down what tree it was?

Here are two possibilities:
Robinia pseudoacacia frisia
Gleditsia triacanthos Sunburst

Probably the first one would be more likely because the leaves on the second are very distingushed and not acer-like.

If by Acer-like leaves you meant Acer palmatum, there are a few possibilities that come to mind. There are Acer palmatum cultivars with lime green leaves, for a start. Acer pseudoplatanus 'Brilliantissimum' is fancier than the common sycamore with coral leaves in spring, light green in summer and good autumn colour. If you were reminded of the dissected-leaved Acers you might also want to take a look at Sambucus racemosa too. Either way it's a long shot and I wonder if they are too small, but you might just get lucky with an image search.

Thanks for the suggestions...I think, after an afternoon trawling through many 'tree' sites that it is a 'False Acacia'..the leaves have that same lime green colour, but all info says that it grows rather rapidly and rather tall, not so suitable for a small urban garden. Talked to husband and he said that he would be happy with any small tree with spreading grean branches, not cherry though. Any other suggestions?

Try Sorbus " Joseph Rock" A lovely small tree, wonderful Autumn colour and creamy white berries.