I would guess a maple.

I too am thinking Maple. If it is, it's kinda bad that the Pike's people couldn't identify a MAPLE!

...and since it seems to have branched so low on the main stem, maybe a Silver Maple.

No, we should hope it's something nicer like a Japanese Maple! Although 15 feet is kind of big.

Petalnet, I thought the same thing ... the opposite leaf bud structure on a maple is pretty distinctive (of course other trees have opposite leaves, but it's a definite clue).

It looks like a larger form of my small Japanese Maple, so that's probably what it is.

Thank you everyone! We have wanted a Japanese maple for ages, so getting a surprise one for $10 feels very fortunate.

I asked a few people at Pike when i bought it, and no-one could identify it!

Hello Mayland:

Don't get too excited just yet. This looks like a red maple to me; and they are blooming right now. Still great trees, but not Japanese maples. Congrats on getting such a large specimen for such a good price!

oh dear, i think you might be right, Nippersdad! It does look a lot like the huge trees that are blooming red right now.

Pike told me "it definitely won't be anything big, because we don't sell anything that gets to a big tree size". Ummmm!

If it is a red maple, I think we will need to move it as we planted it pretty close to the driveway (about 3ft away). When would be the best time to move it -- can we do it soon or should we wait until next winter?

Thanks for your help.

The bark looks like my Acer japonicum's. also a very desirable Japanese Maple species. Post a photo of the leaves, once they unfurl and we can see if that is it.
I would go ahead and move it now, if you need to. The roots have not had time to spread and it will be easier to move.
I would also stake it, after the move. Once the foliage emerges, strong winds will often tip them over, since they are shallow rooted. Mulch the roots with 5-6" of shredded bark, leaves, pine needles, etc. and keep the soil moist.
After the foliage emerges, fertilize with a balanced fertilizer (13-13-13 is fine) and again in late August. A cup full should be adequate for a small tree. Increase amount as tree grows to larger size.

this is such a nice forum, thank you for your help. I will post a photo once the leaves are out, but this is what its doing at the moment, in case this helps identify.

thank you all!