Japanese (and other Asian) maples are by nature understory trees and are accustomed to a part shade location. "Ideally", a situation that provided morning sun and afternoon shade is a preferred location, avoiding the more intense and hotter late afternoon sun. However, most red leafed maples can tolerate a great deal of sun without issues, provided all other growing requirements are met. Given the two locations outlined above and the size of the tree now, I'd not be too inclined to move it - it will be far less stressful and better for long term growth to leave in place. A JM with a 2-2.5" diameter trunk is a good sized tree and will not transplant easily. And you certainly do not want to comtemplate doing so now - if you must move, wait until dormancy.

Don; Not in Redding anymore..... Not very humid in the North Valley. Not like your neck of the woods. A favorite saying about the weather was "it's 120 degrees but it a dry heat...." I could care less, it was hot!!!! Here is a link to a website that recommends Japanese Maples for hot areas in California. Not sure about high humidity. This list worked for me but your results may vary........ http://www.lakesnursery.com/page19.html Michael

I have a Japanese Maple in my front yard (I'm also zone 5). I think that they prefer morning sun and afternoon shade (afternoon sun is too hot). I planted my maple during early summer and in the evening so I miscalculated where it was going to get more of the afternoon shade so it gets more of the HOT sun which is not what I intended. It has been where it is now for 2 years so I figured that so far so good, right? They like lots of water so I give it about an inch to 2 inches deep of water once a week and also the sprinklers hit it in the wee hours of the morning. I hope this helps. Good luck.

Washington DC has humid and rainy summers like those of the eastern Asian native habitat of Japanese maple. Even in the wild it is typical for Japanese maple to be a forest understory tree. Wild type green seedlings are also much tougher than many fancy garden forms. Sacramento is very hot and dry in summer. There is also the matter of mineral salts in the irrigation water, a problem for Japanese maples in arid and semiarid regions. Plants that are common in gardens up here may be seen almost exclusively in certain locations with unusual conditions down there, such as the extensive and heavily watered lawns of the California State Capitol grounds. Even there growth of such kinds may be noticeably less enthusiastic than in more suitable climates elsewhere. The Sunset WESTERN GARDEN BOOK says a good indication of a locale being suitable for Japanese maples is the presence of evergreen azaleas in plantings there. Large, established and healthy Japanese maples in the vicinity, under similar site conditions would also of course be a good hint. For shade you probably really want something much more likely to thrive and develop rapidly under your conditions. Even where naturally suited Japanese maples are slow-growing trees that may take decades to produce a significant shadow.