Birch dying – replacement ideas?

The birch tree at the centre of the cedar circular hedge is dying (from birch bark beetles I think). Next year it will need to come down.

Any ideas on how to get creative with the area? I thought about using the stump/trunk to do a wood carving to keep the focal point. I also am conaidering cutting thr stump lower and using it as a pedestal for some kind of huge potted plant. Or, I could plant something slim that will grow tall behind and to the left of the cedar, so that it doesn't grow over the house – like an arborvitae maybe. Zone 5B.

Any clever ideas or inspiration?