Hi, what/where is zone 18/19 please? Where you are matters to what kind of tree it might be - are you sure it's a maple (other things look similar)? Can you take a picture of it to post here (through Photobucket or some other program)? I wonder if it wasn't originally a bonsai that they planted there to grow out, and then left it when they moved. It's highly unlikely to have bonsai'd itself with no help as front lawns don't normally have the right conditions.

I'm in a coastal valley about 10-15 miles away from the ocean near L.A. I went by sunset zones so that might give an idea Im farely sur its a maple. Its not in the quite in the lawn as it is more under a sady area and the soil is normal for my area; i.e. clay sandy acidic, I can try to get pics but as Ive mention in other forums Im not too technical when it comes to cameras but I'll try.