I seldom see taller than 10 foot JMs four feet or less wide, that is why I am suggesting you contact North Haven gardens for further details on the following suggestions.

Their 2005 Japanese Maple List describes two that could be worth your time seeking out more details.

The first one is an Acer palmatumdissectum 'Inaba shidare' cultivar. The description for this tree lends the suggestion that the morning sun dancing off the leaves will set them ablaze with brilliant colors.

The Inaba shidare is a dissectum which grows in a more upright cascading growth habit to a height of 8-10 feet. The leaves come out purple red in the spring and retain the red color well into summer. In the fall they turn a crimson color. The cultivars, 'Red Select' and 'Select Red' are probably the same as 'Inaba shidare'

the other tree of interest they describe is called 'Pixie'
(Acer palmatum 'Pixie')

It is described as being a cultivar reputed to be a form of 'Bloodgood'. the leaves are very similar to Bloodgood but with more deeply cut lobes. Pixie does not grow taller than 6 feet. the leaves emerge a bright red in spring becoming deep red in summer. It turns a fiery scarlet in the fall. Other sites suggest that even though this tree grows more open than lots of dwarfs, it's 3' foot growth potential in 15 years most likely will keep it within the spread requirements you are requesting.

Your zone 5 winters should be okay for the above trees if you protect the tree from cold north winter winds. Your description of the planting area seems to suggest that the tree you plant will be growing in a somewhat protective area, which is possibly a slightly warmer than your climate microclimate. Is that correct?

Katrina

Thanks for your suggestions....both are ideal choices for my needs.

Another question, what can you tell me about online ordering....good idea? bad idea? There's an online store that's selling Inaba shidare in a 1 gallon pot, 12 to 18 inches tall for $35. Is it a good idea to buy the JM this small considering I live in z/5.

Thanks.....Joe

Hi Katrina,

quote:
"Your zone 5 winters should be okay for the above trees if you protect the tree from cold north winter winds."

I'm also in zone 5. I'm curious when you mentioned "protect the tree from coldnorth winter winds". How do I do that?

Thanks!

Neil

I may live in zone 6 but in the winter of 2003-2004 the temperature went down to -15 to -18 degrees F for 3 days and my 2nd year graft Inaba shidare made it thru fine.It is in a protected area with stockade fence on 2 sides. My red pygmy also made it thru fine. The container maples were kept in my nieces unheated garage and they made it also.
That same winter a show piece large container grown Inaba in a nursery died by not being protected from the winds. The owner thought that it would make it because it had always been left out.