Hi, first time posting but I've been reading these forums for years and have learned a lot, especially about japanese maples. I've read about every post on aconitifolium but still am not sure if it's the tree I'm looking for.

I'm getting a patio cover installed that is about 9' tall and want to plant a tree under it (in ground). The tree will get sun from morning until noon. I want something that will be the focal point of my back yard and look good through summer. Spring and fall colors are important too but this is by our pool, so the hotter months are when we'll be outside the most.

Can aconitifolium be pruned to stay around 8 feet? Also, is it a nice specimen during summer months? We have crimson queen and bloodgood maples that turn a greyish brown color towards mid summer, which we want to avoid. Other tree's we like are orange dream, shindeshojo and fireglow? Will these get too large? Other recommendations?

Thanks!