If you're willing to take a 3-4 hour drive I highly recommend Davidsands Japanese Maple Nursery which is in New Berlin, Illinois. I don't live near there but I mail ordered from them and the quality of the Acer's I received was superb. Link to the nursery's website. If the drive is too long for you then they could most likely ship the plants to you. You can check with them about that.

I agree re Davidsan's Japanese Maple Nursery.

I've never had a need to do mail order - just too many growers of JM's in my area and they are sold everywhere - but I have visited the Davidsan's website often and the information they provide is top quality and very accurate. If their trees are anywhere near as good as their website, then I would endorse them as well :-)

If you're ever near Chicago, stop by Gethsemane Garden Center. I've never been there, but it looks amazing. I will also recommend Davidsan's. One tree I think you should check out is acer japonicum 'Fairy lights'. It is a dwarf weeping laceleaf cultivar that grows upright and narrow for a weeper. A very unique, beautiful and hardy little tree. Another hardy, very pretty dwarf is acer shirasawanum 'Kawaii', and if you don't want a laceleaf tree, take a look at acer palmatum 'Ryuzu'.

Vivian, as another zone 5 gardener I really appreciate your list and comments. Thank you!

Thanks Indianagardengirl. I learned so much from other gardeners in our area as well.

Thank you everyone for the information. This is SO helpful! I'll definitely check out Davidsans.

Vivian, what a great list! Thanks so much.