I don't think you have to move right to questioning his competence. I would check first what assumptions each of you is operating under. If you have given him instructions to produce a certain kind of environment in the yard, shade may be an essential part of that and perhaps he can't produce any other source of shade in the short term and is concerned you'll not be happy with the outcome if there isn't enough shade. Or something. He may also be making some assumptions about how much you want to water your plants. I de-shaded the north side of my house with the removal of a tree and it does get sunny as the sun veers around in the afternoon. New trees are just growing in enough to make an impact 4 years later. If there is a chance you will be removing the big tree at some point within 5 years, the pot is a very good idea for another reason - you'll have to get the little maple out of the way of falling tree parts. They do grow well in pots, especially if the pots are big enough. KarinL

Most etailers will offer small trees since they have to ship them that is especially true on ebay where most offer twigs. Many won't answer emails ( although i had that problem with Topiary and refuse now to deal with them so that can happen anywhere and many ebay folks also use stock photos and refuse to give needed info) It is also true some folks bid up those that have stuff there sometimes idiotically sometimes neafariously. If a person has a ebay store but also an outside business best to try to contact and buy direct and NOT thru ebay first ...This usually involves a bit of work googling names but usually works (IE sam of eastfork who is excellent BTW and honest) ..although many ebatyers just do ebay and don't have their own web site many arn't even nursery folks or reliable business people often the feed back is the result of ignrant folks who don't know any better. You will quickly find out when some idiot is willing to pay a fortune for any stick tree... auction after auction these names of buidders stand out as fools who are not worth bidding against EVER since they will pay anything for a questionable and often comon tree . You will also find out quickly some folks like I fear Bonzai Bob are suspicious at best. They have a "bit" larger product and good quality and rarer stuff seem nice enough but you could buy the same stuff elsewhere larger and good or better quality on the net for a fraction of what their eventual cost as it always sky rockets at the last moment to rediculous levels!! It is curious WHY their stuff ALWAYS bids up so high ...curious...HUMMMMM. I would say Herman got it wrong though ...competion on ebay forces prices up not down ...You can get "ok" deals but you likely can do better elsewhere. But if you like the vegas atomosphere and don't mind often spending too much or waisting your time with last minute shinaigans...go for it David

Thanksgiving Farms is fantastic, Bhenke's in Laurel sometimes has interesting varieties, If you don't mind a drive, Wildwood Farms, and of course, Homestead. But their varieties are pretty common these days. I'd check World Plants.com to see what you like, then call to see if someone locally can order it for you. Christine

A late addition to this thread, added for those looking for Japanese maples in NC: I just bought two this past weekend from Mr. Maple (Tim and Matt Nichols in East Flat Rock, about 1/2 hour south of Asheville). As stated above, great maples, terrific assortment of interesting cultivars. Most are 3 gal. sizes, much smaller selection of 7 gal. and up. Lovely acers in their demonstration garden at their mother's home just up the road from the nursery. Their knowledge and friendliness is fantastic, and they do mail order. If you want to visit the nursery, call to make an appointment. They also have a great selection of ginkgoes, especially the dwarf cultivars. These are plants they propagate and graft themselves, so you are buying from the source. The following are retail nurseries that are selling trees others have propagated: For larger, well-grown maples and many conifers and other things, The Unique Plant between Chapel Hill and Durham is great, and Joanne has fantastic acers around the property to see what they grow into. Much higher prices than Mr. Maple, but for larger specimens. Atlantic Garden Center in Raleigh has quite a few maples in early spring, a handful of different cultivars, and fewer as the season progresses. Knowledgeable, friendly staff. Middling prices. Logan in downtown Raleigh is similar, but the staff is not as knowledgeable about Japanese maples, at least the staff I could find a couple of times I was there. Seems like somewhat higher prices at Logan, though I always enjoy my visits there. I found Chad of Get Rooted in Chatham County irritable and unhelpful. Large selection of maples and other interesting plants, but lots of die-back on various of the maples. There are other sources in NC, but these are the places I've personally visited this season.