If you want a smaller tree, go with the Fireglow. Bloodgood is a full sized JM - can reach 30' and with an equal spread in my climate. And IMO, Fireglow has much better coloring....more of a coppery bronze coloring and less of the oppressive dark purple of Bloodgood. And it simply glows in fall....firetruck red!! There is a reason it has that name :-))

Interesting... are you suggesting that the bloodgood and emperor I are one in the same more or less?

The Emperor and the Bloodgood are sold everywhere... the fireglow will take a bit more searching... but sounds like it'll be worth it... But I must admit that I do like the very dark leaf color of the bloodgood/Emperor trees..

Thanks!

Emperor I is just a Bloodgood sport, so yes, very similar. Emp is considered superior to BG in colder climates, as it is slightly later to leaf out so not as prone to late frost damage.

I ended up with an Emperor I. They are easier to find, cheaper and as I said above, I actually like the dark tone.. My home is light colored..sort of a taupe/beige color... I think that it will be a nice contrast... and most of my plants/trees are a typical dark green...

As for size, we have such a short growing season.. to attain 20' on a slowish growing Japanese maple it would require a couple of decades at least. I am basing this on what is growing around here...

Here's a Fireglow photographed on November 1st in Downeast Maine, growing zone 5b. It's one of 90 Japanese maples I own and I like it so much I planted four of them. It's not just pretty in the fall. It's nearly as pretty in the spring and is also beautiful all summer long. It's one of my favorites. Buy one and you'll be happy a long, long time.

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