Eastfork Nursery sends primo trees- really top notch service.

Davidsans too.

I just picked up a couple really good sized ones from Mapletopia on eBay earlier this year if that interests you.

Those are the three I have had the best trees from.

I would not have a tree shipped this time of year, though- the heat is not good. Perhaps wait until fall.

Another vote for Davidsan's.

not in any order

1) eastfork nursery - great customer service when i had an issue

2) acer1987 on ebay - great prices, healthy plants

3) topiary gardens - great prices, great size, healthy plants - especially for those of us in northern climates.

that being said im still on the lookout for a nursery that places particular care in shaping and pruning and training their maples in aesthetically superior shapes and not just letting them grow any which way. 99% of places just let them grow as they wish with perhaps a token effort to tie them straight up. Understandably, as it is time consuming.

Is anyone aware of an online source that takes pride in producing symmetrical maples?

Japanese maples are not by nature symmetrical plants. One of their more desirable features is the fact that they DO grow in a very irregular and sculptural manner. I'm not sure why it would be necessary to seek out those trained to grow that way, except for a personal preference. Which may be why you don't find many treated in this manner :-))

I have very good experience with Topiary gardens, Mendocino, Davidsans. The plants they shipped were all of really good size, even for the 1 Gallon size. All have excellent customer services. Price/shipping cost wise, Topiary is the best.

I am in total agreement with gardengal

Part of the Charm of Japanese Maples is the Irregular and occasionally the unpredictability of the Growth Pattern.These are a few of the reasons why the Trees have so much Character.All Japanese Maples have an Individuality.

Happy Gardening

Stephen,Cheshire.UK

i don't see the charm in having my seiryu have a hunchback single trunk until about 5 feet and then split into a lopsided, one side heavy growth. I don't care if it's "natural". I've been to many botanical gardens and when I see their pruned maples they are a sight to behold. Yes there are some varieties whose natural growth habit is sprawling and asymmetrical, but the majority are enhanced by if a single trunk is desired - to have that trunk to be trained ramrod straight until it forks, or if a multi trunked specimen is desired, to have it pruned in a (roughly) symmetrical pattern, equal on all sides.

I think that when shown a trained, pruned, aesthetically pleasing symmetrical specimen and a "natural" maple left to grow in its own which way, 95% of people will pick the former. Just my 2 cents.

Since I have growing and selling Japanese maples to the general public for the better part of 20 years, I'm afraid I have to disagree with you :-) Most seek out a tree with "character" rather than one with a ramrod straight trunk - there are zillions of other tree selections that will offer those characteristics, but most purchase JM's for 1) habit and size and 2) foliar effect.

I am also going to disagree on the pruning and training by botanical gardens to achieve the sort of precise tree you describe. In gardens that feature JM's, the pruning is done by very skilled craftsmen to enhance (not change or alter) the natural growth habit, as most readily illustrated by these photos. If you want a "ramrod straight" trunk, pick another type of tree!!

gardengal,

i guess beauty is subjective.

But i don't see why i cant enjoy the foliar effect as well as having a nice growth habit with a little shaping help.

What does a hunchback lopsided trunk of a seiryu add to its beauty? Not sure I understand the appeal...