About fifteen years ago we lost the big tree outside the den window to a storm, and replaced it with a Japanese Maple. The little tree did very well for a long time, but the rising sea levels have made this place even swampier than it was when we bought it. There is a new spring at the top of the walk and the water runs into the garden. Note, I said there is a spring at the top of the hill. Not the bottom, where sensible springs would be, but at the top. Jack and Jill live here!
And so, the poor little tree has drowned.
This morning The Squire and I discussed the likelihood of uprooting the skeleton and planting something else. I did a search for “trees that do well in wet, sunny places”. The first thing that came up was an artificial ficus tree.
The only thing that would worry me is that the pot might sink into the ground.
thisendoftheswamp 
That they would recommend an artificial ficus tree is hilarious!
I wonder how a willow tree would do?
We’ve thought of that. There’s also a tree commonly called a Swamp Maple (Acer saccharinum), which is also in the running.
If it was a bit warmer here I’d opt for a cypress tree! (That dark spot in the lower right corner is standing water; it wasn’t there when we moved in.)