If you don't like the bark of Griseum, what about triflorum? Still leafed like poison ivy, but larger leaves and more lush (and shady) with interesting bark, too, and great fall color. You might think about japonicums, too, like Meigetsu or Aconitifolium, both really lovely trees that can take on a speading habit. I have the latter next to my patio, and the others getting afternoon sun and doing well. All are very hardy. Meigetsu can get larger and fairly dense, but beautiful big leaves and amazing fall color!

R.e. Coralbark & japanese beetles, we have tons of JB's and for the most part they leave Sango Kaku alone. I've found a few JB's on it here and there but it certainly isn't a favorite in my yard anyhow.

Well, I'm in the middle of planning the landscaping for that patio for a fall planting, and was looking up japaneese beetle resistant plants after seeing how devastating those devils have been to friends and family's rugosa roses, another one of my favorite plants. I was surprised to see Acer palmatum listed as a favored plant. I didn't think they would care one way or the other for maples. Anyway, the big Acers were listed as resistant--negundo, rubrum and saccharinim. Nothing on japonicum, griseum and shirasawanum, or any others.

Also, are the coral barks naturally kinds shrubby, meaning lots of little tigs sprouting out from the branches, or was the one I saw at the nursery just badly pruned? I've seen some cute smaller ones. Down the street from me there is a tree that looks just like a bloodgood, except it has green leaves. It's growing next to the brick wall of a row house, in a strip about 2 feet wide tops, northern exposure. It looks healthy as a horse. I'd really like to get something robust like that. The only reason I'm looking for brown or red bark is I'd like to have my plants contrast with my patio. The tree can't get too tall, since I'm in the middle of a row of row houses and I don't want a big tree that looks out of proportion with all the other elements of the row. 20-25 feets is tops.

The Autumn Moon will not take hot afternoon sun. It'll burn up crispy!!!!

Are you sure that's not Full Moon, another gorgeous tree that I know I'll have to forego due to sun. I guess Autumn Moon hasn't been around that long so that's why I'm wondering about it. It seems like overall this tree has most of what I'm looking for, but I'll probably have to mail order it to get it.

Here is a link that might be useful: Acer shirasawanum 'Autumn Moon'

How about contrasting with leaf color? I have never seen a Coralbark that was not twiggy. Many Japanese maples have red spring color, or red through summer, more brilliant in spring and fall. Autumn Moon is one of my favorites, but its red/orange leaf color will fade, and the bark it not particularly colored. But I love the yellow-green color the leaves take on.

There are striped bark maples, variegated leaf colored, many options. There are red-leafed japonicums now, too. I think a little research on websites of sellers and in books would help you. There are lots of photographs. Anything close up should be chosen with care, because the options are great, and you'll see it every day. Look for maples of year-round interest. Winter form or color can be very interesting, then spring and fall colors, and summer color or textures....

I love maples spring, summer and fall, even the most pedestrian ones, and any on them would contrast with the deck when in flower or leaf. But unless it is a grand old sugar maple, a lot of maples are ho hum in the winter, IMHO. I love the striped bark ones but I thought they were more for shade? What species tolerate hot afternoon sun? Does japonicum more than palmatum? Many online nurseries have such an extensive selection, knowing the species would help me narrow it down. I always thought palmatum was hardier. I'm on the border between zone 5 and 6. Mostly 6 weather, but occasionally a 5 winter event.

Japonicums are more hardy generally, which is why I suggested them. I encourage you to do some research. The Mountain Maples site has a tremendous mount of information as do the several books on Japanese Maples, beginning with Vertrees' reference. Hardiness zone is only one aspect, exposure to winds is equally important. Some Palmatums are more hardy than others. You have several conditions, and they should be carefully looked at. There is a lot of information out there.

I have been doing research. A lot of it is confusing. I'm no dummy either when it comes to botany. I'm used to dealing with straight species, not cultivars. That's why I posted here. The mountain maples site is byzantine to me.

The JB's loved munching on my coral bark maple for about a good month or so. Now I don't see many Japanese beetles around here anymore.

Also, I placed my coral bark maple in a place that gets direct sunlight for the entire day with unfavorable results. The upper and outer leaves get burned when it's superhot outdoors. I plan to move it to an afternoon shaded area this fall.

I really like the coral bark maple and do not see mine as a shrub at all. It makes a perfect small patio tree in my opinion.