ark meant to say.. google LICHENS .. totally harmless.. UNLIKE THAT TORTURE STRAP YOU HAVE ON IT ??? whats that all about ... if its been in the ground for a year.. its time for free range if you want ideas on possible issues.. we need a pic of the whole ... and more facts.. ball and burlap.. potted.. how planted.. burlap removed.. amendments.. etc ... i especially want to know if its telephone poled.. can you see the root flare???? ??? .. and whats your native soil???? ken

take a picture

David-- You want me to tell you all my secrets:) I watch almost everything I can find online regarding maples, ebay included. Laceleaf is the only seller of Pink Lace that I have seen. A supposed seedling of Viridis that is more vigorous and has pink in its spring and new growth color. The sale of that plant has always tweaked me as I think it is illegitimate as a variety name--heck most of the seedlings of Virids exhibit those qualities. Anyway, not to detract from your purchase. Your Beni otake photos also looks like their plant. I also think Rob at nishiki is getting a bit much for his plants. They used to be quite large and worth the money, now with his increase in sales, the plants are going out before they have adequate size on them. Instead of separating himself from everyone else, he is selling small plants for acution prices to keep up with the demand. Truth be told, all of the auction trees have gotten pretty small. If I buy and auction tree, I try to stay below $15 and below $20 if I really want it---they are just to small to pay big money and buy sight unseen. MJH

I probably would NEVER go to that nursery again... It doesn't look like a sweet gum at all... but any person in the tree biz would just take a leaf and crunch it up and smell it...if it were a gum it would be obvious by it's gum smell...I think those folks were either pulling your leg or just idiots. At any rate i wouldn't go back for either of those two reasons.. David