The variety I got was "acer palmatum atropurpureum". Not weeping. I would have loved a weeping Cherry, but wilted Cherry leaves are highly toxic to horses, and I didn't want to take any chances. The tag says 18' x 18' at maturity, but I figure it'll take a while to get big, and I can always prune! The sidewalls on the barn are 12', and I planted the tree towards the outside corner- so I have a bit of room. Very interesting about the blue rug junipers being too green to compliment the red leaves, and a "bluer" juniper looking better. I certainly wouldn't have ever thought of that. I hope to get out this weekend to see what I can find in the way of complimentary plants, and all of your suggestions are greatly appreciated!

Hi signet What type of Japanese Maple keys(seeds right?) are you looking for? If you have patience until next year I can get you several different types. It is too late in the season to gather any. They have all been gathered by the sqirrel, eaten by the birds or turned to mush. Sorry.

Hmmm....What are the L and W of the leaves? Do you know what color is was in the early spring? Fall color? Age?

Soil pH has no influence on foliage color except very tangentially. It is far more likely that high nitrogen levels resulting from the repeated doses of dog urine have caused the color 'change' - nitrogen is a major component of chlorophyll, the pigment that produces green leaves. Excessive amounts of nitrogen processed by a plant normally sporting red or purple leaves could result in it being more green than red as more chlorophyll is being produced than the anthocyanins that result in the red or purple coloring. No harm at all, other than more nitrogen being processed than necessary and as long as the plant shows no indication of 'burning' - crisped leaves w/ dry edges, etc. - as result. Female dog urine tends to be less concentrated than that from male dogs and since she is likely hitting the soil rather than the foliage itself, nitrogen burn seems unlikely. In the summer months you may want to hose down the area more frequently to dilute the urine and the subsequent nitrogen concentrations.