Gorgeous, BofR!! And very much more vase-shaped than my own. The fall color on it is sensational this year. I'd share a photo if I had a digi camera :-)

I've come to the conclusion from reading these forums, specially the Maples forum, that coralbark maples are difficult to grow successfully most anywhere other than the PNW. Why this cultivar is so picky elsewhere I'm not sure, but I guess we can just enjoy our good fortune and delight in these trees here. The red stems of mine is one of the best winter features of my garden!

Gorgeous. I love my Sango kaku but it is a baby compared to that lovely specimen.

If you are talking about them dying back, that happens here too.

I was talking about them dying. Period. Seems to be par for the course sooner rather than later most everywhere else.