Personally, I don't think you can go too far wrong with Sango Kaku. I'd just want to make sure I obtained mine from a very reputable source, as I fear there are some inferior growing operations out there that are mass producing this tree, perhaps not from the choicest stock and the end result is some rather inconsistant, ill-formed and disease-prone trees. I bought mine 10 years ago. It has matured into a gorgeous, naturally perfectly shaped specimen (never taken pruners to it) about 18' tall. I've yet to see much redness on the leaves, even when first emerging and I'd describe the foliage color as a bright, grassy green. Fall color is a peachy gold. The tree is stunning in winter. The entire crown glows red with only the trunk and the largest and oldest portions of the major branches more of a greeny-brown. It certainly is not obvious to me that second year growth looses color, in fact quite the opposite. It is the canopy and branching structure you notice when not in leaf, not the trunk, and this has retained its coral red color extremely well.

I took a good look at the tree today-hard to call a 8" plant a tree. It's in the back of several plants so it's not easy to get to. The two remaining leaves have fallen off and upon closer inspection the graft was wilted and dead. The bark of the stock is still green but I noticed a lot of sow bugs/pill bugs at the base of the plant. Looking closer, the bark, right where it meets the dirt was pulled back-I don't understand why the stock is still green since about 1/8" of the bark is completely gone all around the stem at the base of the tree. Essentially the tree is girdled and dead. I made sure to plant the tree at the same depth as in the pot so the dirt would not contact the bark so I don't know why the tree died. Your tree looks so great I may try to get another one next spring but from a different source and maybe a larger tree. When my tree arrived the color of the leaves were a mustard brown with darker veins and non of the red edging. It didn't look like your tree at all. Maybe it was ailing before I received it? Or maybe they sent me the wrong tree. Your tree looks bigger than 15". All the other seven small trees I bought this spring are doing well and four are really thriving putting out new leaves even now. The ones that are thriving are: a. japonicum "Otake" (not a. palmatum beni otaki), "beni kawa", "oridono nishiki", "sango kaku". I really wanted the "tsumagaki" because it was so unusual looking with the yellow-green leaves and reddish tint to the leaf edges. Well it's not to be this year. Thanks for all your help. Please post a picture of your tree in it's fall colors which I understand is supposed to be golden-yellow with a crimson border.

Marie, you might want to take a look at the historical data on your location for the past 5 years. I went to Weather Underground and pulled up Lexington MA for January 1st 2008 to January 1st 2010 as an example. It seems that the minimum t*emperature during that time was 'zero'. Not sure if that is considered zone 5 or 6. I am in zone 6a according to the latest zone map and my sense is that is right to me, but I do notice that Lexington, Bedford area sometimes has temperatures that are lower than mine when I notice them on the w*eather forecast. When you click on the link, scroll down and you'll see every day's weather for the past two years. You can do longer than that period too. it would be time well spent to assure yourself whether you are zone 5 or zone 6. Naturally, your property could be a micro climate in your town too, I suppose. The only way to confirm that would be with a minimum/maximum thermometer that you track the t*emperature yourself every day for a couple of years. Even though I believe I am zone 6a, I almost always try to get plants that are hardy to at least zone 5. For an expensive tree, I'm sure you thought you were buying hardy to zone 5. Since you bought it at Stonegate and it was expensive, I would call them and confirm with them that it is hardy to zone 5, according to them. Ask about a warranty. If you are aware of other r*eliable sources that report it not hardy where you live, I would ask if they would take it back. Arnold Arboretum could help you answer that question too. I know it's the last thing you want to do, but I can only imagine how much you paid for it. I've been pricing them. If that is not possible. I would ask them to come out and evaluate your 'site' and figure out where there might be a micro climate where it would have the best chance of surviving. I would explain to them that you don't want to be worrying about it. I bought a Holly at Broken Arrow last year that was supposed to be hardy to zone 6. I discussed at length with them and asked for advice about where to p*lant it. I put it where they directed me to and it was dead as a doornail this spring. One phone call and they refunded me my money without a problem. An inexpensive shrub though, not an expensive tree. Here is a link that might be useful: Weather History Lexington Mass Jan 2008 to Jan 2010

I will second cearbhaill as I do not have anything remotely local or regional with JM selection. Through mail order I have been able to successfullly plant and grow more than 130 cultivars and 175 total JMs in the hot and humid SE (zone 8b). I have used many online sources and have had a variety of experiences. Since similar threads of this many years ago helped me get started and find sources, I thought doing the same could possibly be beneficial for others. As noted, these are my personal experiences and maybe be different than what others have experienced. Maplestone Ornamentals - excellent website, primarily smaller 1-2 or 2-3 year old grafts. Very good quality and good prices on plants and shipping. Maples N More - small family business, plants on the small size but unique varieties, good prices, responsive to fixing issues Mr Maple - I will no longer use them due to dissapointing issues. They sell lots of liners potted up to 1 gallon that have not come close to filling in the pot with roots. Essentially liners with extra dirt for 50 bucks. Quality has been inconsistent. Have not been impressed with bigger sizes and the shipping costs either. Iconic Gardens - they sell through ebay or their website. Great value, huge plants with the ability to get up to 5 year grafts for a great price in smaller pots that can ship for reasonable amount of money. Quality and selection are good. Maple Ridge Nursery - great website for descriptions of how each cultivar responds to my hot humid SE conditions. I have recieved healthy but undersized plants. Can be expensive both for plants and shipping. Davidson's - one of the most extensive collections both as reference material online and to purchase. Good quality, knowledgeable, responsive. Only downside is very expensive. Whitman Gardens - best value IMHO. Very big plants, healthy, extensive selection, straight forward knowledge and advice, Can get huge plants in smaller pots for great price on plants and shipping. Conifer Kingdom - nice website with pictures of actual plants. Can get larger sizes. Good quality, more limited selection. Pricing varies with some good deals and some quite oddly expensive that does not always match rarity of plant. Good customer care. Oriental Garden Supply - difficult website to navigate. Can get big sizes. Limited availability of many listings with many out of stock. Good quality plants at good prices. Topiary Gardens - excellent customer care with extensive selection of high quality 1,2,3 gallon plants that sell out quickly. Fair reasonable prices and shipping. Japanese Maples and Evergreens - they are on Amazon and other places. There are so many complaints about everything from horrible plants to horrible service I have stayed away myself. Acer1987 (Ebay). If you have the time to grow liners to big trees, this site has massive number of cultivars for good prices. Good customer care. I will otherwise second the opinions above of East Fork (expensive), Essence of Tree, Mendicino. Others have come and gone that I liked (Quality Maples for instance) that still have website up but are closed. Wish I had the opportunities that gardengal has with the range of great NW nurseries to shop from, but in the mean time I will keep Fed Ex busy! Thanks to all who have posted on this site over the years. I have been mainly lurking for more than a decade learning much and putting that knowledge to work.