The real question is how long will if be below freezing. It took multiple freezes/frosts and input from others to realize that is the critical point. It can hit 27 for a couple hours and be fine. There is still a mystery as to what the low for me was on Tues night. My therms. said 21 and 23. The official recorded low was 28. Bottom line is that my trees in leaf where subjected to below freezing temps for about 9 hours. 5' Emperor One...black leaves the next day 4' Red dragon...extremely wilted and limp leaves 2' Fireglow...black leaves the next day 7' Katsura...black leaves the next day 6' Sangu Kaku...extremely wilted and limp leaves My shirs haven't leafed out yet...no wonder so many say to stick with this species in zone 5. I've been told "most" decidious trees bounce back. However, Acer palmatum is one that can have more casualties than others.

I guess I will just have to wait and see. The fine people at Forest Farm are supposedly very nice to deal with, so if it stays red, hopefully they will send me a green one. I wanted a larger green backdrop for smaller red Japanese Maples like a Bloodgood or Emporer I.

Thanks Al and gardengal, I also think it is more and more like tamukeyama as the leaves tinted with more red as days go by. It is right now under a big pine tree and get direct light maybe 2 hours in the morning only. I will acclimate it gradually. The rootball looks like wrapped in burlap (I can see a little bit burlap above the soil) then put in the pot and added more soil around it. Do I need to do anything about that right now? I am planning to keep it as potted plant and overwinter it in my garage, is that a viable plan? Again, thanks a lot. Greendale This post was edited by greendale on Tue, May 20, 14 at 19:30

I agree with bboy non triming IS triming in this case until it grows out a bit ..but with one caviat ..you don't say what kind it is or size (tallness)If it is a light post tree then bboy and I am correct BUT if it is a smaller dissectum it may NRVER be what you want it to be ..less boubous but still roundish ...and or weeping...no matter how much it "grows out" and is later trimed it will still be a roundish tree or should I say bush ;>)...David