I'm with Fignut on this one as to seeds coming true to the mother tree... I have about a dozen japanese maple seedlings from my almost dead mother tree and no two are exactly the same... Some of them resemble the mother tree's dark red leaves, but a few have leaves in shades of green, and a some have a mottled rust tone... If you're looking for a specific look,or variety, actual small trees is the only way to be sure... However, if you got the time and space, seedlings would certainly offer tons of cool possibilities...

From a cultural standpoint autumn is optimal for planting because of condition of plant, soil and weather. Not much happens in winter. At this point you probably should wait until stock is leafed out so you can be sure that you are getting what you want, unless you already know the plants well enough to tell at this time of the year or it wouldn't matter if it turned got you a slightly different one. Nurseries also have their best selection later, in spring. Up here anyway, (except for winter interest plants) January is about the worst time to look for a large assortment, as inventories are reduced to limit tax burdons (and shopping for outdoor plants then is not a popular activity). It depends on what, exactly, you are looking for of course. Somebody nearby might happen to have a beautiful specimen of a maple you want sitting there right now - maybe even on sale.

Your tree definitely has problems... I would agree the bug damage is opportunistic not causable.It does not to me look diseased but could be ...that may be more obvious this summer. The damage is likely heat cold sun wetness bark split possibly in combination with old age .(If it is diseased those brancheds are dead at any rate I'd wait until spring to remove and if they aren't complely dead...I'd leave them and see if they heal) as in pic #3 shows healing has been under way and this has been going on for several years and you just didn't notice cause it was in back of tree (??)(I have had this happen on an older dissectum that loked bad for several years and then I looked at the south west sun side and saw similar damage .don't know why I didn't check before I just thought it was duiseased not sun /winter damaged..mine is still alive and healing)but not doing "well" ...if the bark is attached even by 1/3 it should heal.. Although i have seldom seen this on older trees and is more usual for younger ones...If by june the branch(es) are leafless then it's ok to trim...but it looks like if you do your tree may look a horror film so I hope I am right and it will heal ...the bugs can be treated with seven or other insecticde and hopfully the branches will repair but due to the extensive damage ... I can not promiss that... Others may have a differnt opinion ..david

yeah yeah i know... but couldn't resist. (Yellow) 1)Aureum for graceful leaf shape and color (runner up Jordan/Katsura/Summer Gold) (dissectum) 2) Seiryu for its soft light green elegant leaves and vase growth habit (Laceleaf) 3) koto no ito for beautiful weeping habit (followed closely by villa taranto and Aekans Le's with its great purple bark) (variegated) 4) Peve Multicolor variegation on this one is inconsistent. BUT the bark is spectacular at least mine is - a light blueish silvery color. Underrated. (ukigomo) (pink) 5) Geisha - Terrific pink color. (also GGW. Taylor I like but killed 2 already - too fickle) (bark) 6) Acer Griseum ( runner up snakebark phoenix/joe witt/Murasaki Shikibu PINK STRIPED BARK!!!) HONORABLE MENTION - Amagi Shigure/Olsens Frosted. Must stop....