I don't know what specific cultivar it is. ==>>> again ... it doesnt matter.. a tree is a tree ... the trick here... is that it is grafted on a standard .. as it looks to my eye.. that that 12 inch trunk.. is different than that above ... thought i cant tell with that 90 degree bend in the trunk ... if so.. if you remove everything above.. .you will lose the pretty cut leaf dwarf maple above .... any time that that part sprouts.. it should be removed.. if i am right.. and it is a different plant .... now.. again.. what is you goal.. other than to butcher up some plants.. lol ... i know bonsai type peeps who might steal that plant in the night for the cool weathered.. damaged trunk ... and looking at the last pic.. in full glory.. its not an apparent problem ... so.. basically.. let me suggest you are thinking about trying to fix.. what is not a problem ... i call that... loving a plant to death ... and dont get me wrong ... i also have the inclination.. to help it heal better.. but from the pix.. i just dont know how you go about that... without removing a lot of good stuff.. and simply opening more gaping wounds ... if i were standing there.. maybe we could dream up some course of action.. but based on the pix.. i say.. forget about it ... this thing MIGHT collapse in the next 100 years .. due to the problems you think you see .. so be it when it happens ... IMHO .. if you have a real inkling to prune your brains out.. and feel like driving to MI .... i can find you some real trees that need some work .... lol .. a few are on the verge of me having to pay for it.... and i wont care if you destroy them.. lol ... by the time you are done.. you will be planting things.. just so you can go prune your own stuff ..... have a great day ... ken

Looks like it is "Waterfall" Viridis. The full name is Acer palmatum Waterfall Viridis. "Dissectum" in the name (if it is there) means the lacy, finely dissected leaves. Congratulations, you discovered the magic of Japanese Maples! Very easy to get hooked on, collect them. Visit the Maple Forum , you can find beautiful pictures in the Gallery section.

I have been lurking in this forum and others for some ideas. We need to landscape some new beds as a result of re-doing our back patio area and adding a pond. I'd like to put in a Japanese Maple on one side of the pond. Am looking at the Crimson Queen laceleaf, but I keep reading conflicting information about how big it will be in 10-15 years. I'm looking for a variety that only gets 4-8' max in height. I know the spread will be about 6'. You folks seem to know a lot about the various JM varieties. I have a grafted JM in a front planting bed that is gorgeous. It's been there a little over 5 years and is only about 5 ft now, so the growth rate is slow (about a half a foot or less per year I'm guessing in my zone 7b). Thanks!

They're not *that* precious or rare. Go for it. Just watch a video or two about how to trim Japanese maples. Essence of the Tree has some that are good to watch. and if you do a google search you'll find articles that go in depth about these ideas: http://www.finegardening.com/sites/finegardening.com/files/images/image-collection/041105302_pruning_laceleaf_japanese_maple_xlg.jpg Basically, do it branch by branch, clip by clip. Don't shear. Redirect the growth of the branches by pruning near buds that will start the maple growing in the desired directions. Watch out for exposing too much of the branches/trunk to hot, direct sun, but don't be afraid to open it up a bit. Take it slowly, viewing it from many angles, and consider each branch cut carefully before going for it. You can't put them back. ;) Unless you really muck it up, it's like a haircut-- no matter how badly you do it, it'll grow back. Good luck!