Well I was able to locate the tree myself but I thought I would share with this forum in case anyone else would like to know!

Maki - (Also inu-maki, kusa-maki, rakan-maki)
Yew Podocarpus, Longleaf Podocarpus Podocarpus macrophyllus deep mountains

Can you describe "Maki" too? Maki in Japanese can just mean "planting" so could be used on a lot of different plants.

Maki - The Japanese Yew tree.

Here is a link that might be useful: Japanese Maki or Yew

Do you think you'll grow Maki? My ex Japanese in laws were very proud of their front garden. Not a lot of room, but they really enjoyed every moment of it.

Absolutely, I am really into Japanese trees, shrubs, etc., so yes I am going to grow Maki.

My Japanese in-laws have a beautiful garden around their home which is where I first saw "maki".

I want to do Japanese maples in my yard as well, but I have read that they are difficult to take care of. Is this true?

I haven't tried Japanese maples yet but I absolutely love them. A friend once had a lovely Japanese maple. I'm a little far north for the ones I've admired most. I think I'll wait a couple of years before I tackle the area I'd like to grow Japanese maples in, but I've always admired this website. I don't know if they're any good, but they seem to have a good variety and description. It's in my favorites I like to look and drool. http://www.japanesemaples.com/

Yeah I am wondering if I can go ahead and start planting some maples since fall is pretty much here. I mean I have already started over-seeding my lawn so why not?

I do have one concern though and that is will the frost in Georgia not kill the young trees? Do I need to cover them? What steps should I take to protect them over winter?

Hi Thenovice,
I actually decided to risk it, and planted a Tamukeyama maple from this nursery http://wildwoodmaples.com/dissectum.html They had great customer service, and shipped a healthy plant. I'm babying it, and hope it will survive. I'm right at the edge of zone 5, so I picked a protected spot at the edge of one of my shade gardens (gets good light). I'm hopeful.

Thank you, thank you, thank you for the link to the nursery, I am going to order several come early March next year, I dont want to risk killing them with frost unless you think it would be wise to go ahead and plant. I guess this is really a question for the nursery...?

Looks like they will not make deliveries to Georgia, you must be in the northern part of the country?

Hi thenovice, yes I live in central wisconsin. Can't ship, yikes, what about this nursery: http://japanesemaples.com/ Not quite as far as the one I used in CA. They all look like they're good to zone 8, so they may be able to help you. My little maple seems well established, I'm hopeful it'll make it thru the winter. Best of luck.