Especially when they don't have any dieback! :) I think it'd be worth to try these in zones 3-4

My treasure that made it through it's first winter is a Tatarian Maple. It's tiny yet, but it made it and has leafed out really well. My husband and I are from Vancouver Island where there are so many gorgeous Japanese Maple trees in the landscaping there. We miss it so much and I've been hunting for years to find a similar Maple that would survive in our yard here. This Tatarian Maple is the closest I can get. It will be years before it is of any significant size, but it's here and alive!

I have no idea why maples aren't more popular out here. Quite a few are perfectly hardy here. I have a Norway Maple and people are always shocked when they first see it.

Yes, it is beautiful! I too have a big maple. Quite beautiful too, but I don't like it. It sucks all the moisture out of the ground and causes my beloved fruit trees problems!... I'm thinking about tapping it.

I have a Norway Maple too, but it's just not as pretty as the Japanese maple trees. Most of the delicate ones do not survive our winters.