JJ I have the following to suggest: A. p. 'Beni otake' Otherwise known as 'Big Red Bamboo', this tree is treasured for its deep red, strap leaves. Spectacular spring color holds through summer and turns crimson-orange in fall. This is a vigorous tree providing good texture variation and rich color. 10' A.p. 'Cindy' 9-12' high. A new variety that is a medium sized tree. Large maroon leaves hold color well in the hot summer months. Color also holds well in deep shade. Moderate growing rate. Upright, rounded form. Fall color is crimson. A.p. 'Fireglow' This selection retains red all season while the actual tones of red do change. Spring leaves emerge in an array of bright rose colors then darken. Backlit in summer, the leaves flicker like campfire flames on a breezy evening. Fall brings on scarlet. Summer heat does not tend to burn 'Fireglow". It is an excellent choice for an upright red that does not get overly tall. A.p. 'Margaret Bee' An improvement on "Bloodgood" leaves are larger and richer in color. The dark purple color stay well in the hot summer sun. Does not tend to get leaf scorch like "Bloodgood". Crimson fall color. Creates an upright tree that reaches 13-20 ft at maturity. A.p. 'Moonfire' "Opalescent" is how the large almost black-red leaves of this strong upright- growing (12-15') tree have been described and they keep this deep color until they turn a bright crimosn in fall. A.p. 'Suminagashi' Reaching up and out, the branches form a vigorous, finely shaped tree. Deeply divided and deeply colored in a long lasting red, the large leaves add a beautiful contrast of color and texture to other specimens in your garden. Maroon turns crimson in autumn. 12' A.p. 'Trompenburg' It's something over 15'.Spring color is a fairly bright red, which in summer becomes a glossy black- or purple-red, a color which it holds well during the heat of summer. The most distinctive character of the cultivar is the rolled leaf lobes, which form long, narrow half-cylilnders, giving the leaf the appearance of a (you guessed it) dragon's paw. Fall color is crimson. Juvenile leaves may not show the rolled lobe effect for awhile. A.p. 'Tsukushigata' Bright sour-apple green veins and samaras (seeds) contrast with rich burgundy red leaves in one of those magical color combinations found only in nature. Fall color is purple-red with orange highlights. 15' A.p. 'Twombly's Red Sentinel' Bright sour-apple green veins and samaras (seeds) contrast with rich burgundy red leaves in one of those magical color combinations found only in nature. Fall color is purple-red with orange highlights. 10' A.p. 'Yezo nishiki' Large leaves display glorious colors through out the year. The reds are brighter and a touch of orange is stirred into fall's scarlet. This is a vigorous, sturdy, upright tree with good branching. It grows taller than wide to 15' Might I also suggest the addition of a second, smaller maple to contrast the first? A small green-dissected-leaf JM is a great foil for the red leaves of the main tree. The dissectum will have a completely different look and shape than the upright, and the fall colors of both will be enhanced. For a SMALL green dissectum I would suggest: A.p.d. 'Lemon Lime Lace' Beautiful pastel yellow and lime green new leaves in the spring, holding the contrasting colors all summer as young leaves emerge. The habit is weeping and it makes a very round mound if left unpruned and unstaked. Fall color is orange. 6' or A.p.d. 'Ellen' Growing 3 1/2 ft high in 10 years this desirable dissectum emerges in the spring with yellow green leaves and becomes a fresh green in the summer. Yellow fall color. or A.p.d. 'Flavascens' Unique in color. Yellow-green in spring and early summer. Becomes darker green as summer goes on. Fall color is spectacular with golden yellow and orange tones. All of these trees are available by mail order from Topiary Gardens in New York. www.topiary-gardens.com. Diana is wonderful to work with... Regards, K4

Here's another (and simpler) possibility. If the JM is goes for several weeks w/o water during the hottest part of the summer, it may respond by selectively letting some (or most, depending on the drought severity) branches die. This may not become apparent until the following spring, when the affected branches will not leaf out. Although lack of water is the "root cause", it might result in various proliferation of various infections, e.g. verticillium, that may be present in the weakened, dying and eventually dead branch. There's no way to know if this is the explanation in your case, but if your tree went without water for more than a week in July or August, I'd suspect something along these lines.

This is the story of all my maple cultivars. I've never had one hibernate gracefully. Being in Melbourne, I always just put it down to hot winds or long hot summers.

That's why I was hoping it would entice someone to want it, where it is now isn't a very large space and since it is so short it shades most of the bed once it leaf's out. I've got a whole lot of grass and very little growing space. It's a very common tree in my neighborhood and I am trying to add a little spice to my boring yard. I am going to place one of my potted brugmansia's in its place, it will be taller and let the lower plants have a chance. I posted it on Craigslist for $35 or trade hoping that it would move fast but so far no interest. Its a beautiful little tree and would be perfect for pot culture. I cannot bear to throw it away but I kept it all last year waiting for someone to want it and had no takers. I don't have the space to wait again this year. This weekend I might put up a few flyers in the neighborhood and see if any neighbors want it. Also if I had no other reason I grew up in a house that had a Green Japanese Maple and am slightly biased against the reds. What can I say? I am a Loyalist ;)