My guess is that the weeping limbs have been allowed to grow too long; the foliage is weighing down the limbs. Most articles say weeping maples need to be pruned regularly as a constant training of the growth. Here is an ARTICLE with photos that show a before-and-after. Here is ANOTHER site with photos and more detail on pruning. Do a search for "how to prune weeping maples" to find more info. There are also videos on this.

Thank you! The nursery where we purchased it tried to gaslight us by telling us it looked fine. All we wanted was some advice on how to correct it, so I really appreciate your suggestions!

A closeup picture of the bald spot clearly showing the stems and nearby leaves would be helpful. My first guess as a cause is light freeze damage at the top on emerging new growth this spring. Unless you have a squirrel who likes a tidy perch.

Thanks for responding! I will post a close-up tomorrow. The freeze theory makes sense. We also have tons of squirrels, so that’s also a definite maybe. 😂

Japanese maples need very little pruning, certainly nothing on a routine basis!! In fact, most JM authorities recommend pruning only to remove conflicting branching or dead wood. Established uprights may need some canopy thinning from time to time but weeping forms generally require little if any. Long, drooping branches are a standard feature and they are often left to spread on the ground as 'skirts', sometimes extending a good distance away from the trunk. You can cut them back if you like but it is NOT necessary and care should be taken to avoid giving them any kind of even, Dutch boy haircut!. Their length and weight have nothing to do with any perceived baldness, so you can eliminate that as any need.

Christopher's suggestion of possible winter damage is a valid possibility but it is still a very young tree and not very full overall anyway.

Is this any help? nice with taller ones.

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I had time to look... found a Dissectum purpley or bronzey.

"low growing with lace-like leaves and a drooping habit. The leaves are very fine with deeply lobed serrated edges."

Thanks, @everdebz for the photo! Coincidentally, that house in the picture looks very similar to our house. :)

Cause you mentioned it - do you live in CA? Nice tree with large rocks... contrast. In a small way, color of rocks repeats color of branches.

Revealed branching is an sesthetic featurer of japanese maples.

@everdebz We are actually on the east coast and probably found the only midmod like it on the entire coast! And, get this, it had NOT been remodeled since it was built in 1967! :D

@Ken,and everyone else, thank you so much for all your encouraging words! We are going to take your advice and be patient. :)

Okdoke for you! Will you show us inside of the house... oh well, that's another branch of your life...

... yeh... It's not the upright or other shape!

Idk what plans you have, but could add to bare dirt some mulch, decomposed granite stuff, 2 + small boulders - leaves draped on rocks, natural look. And to 'fill'...

Great idea, everdebz! I saved your suggestions to my Ideabook!

and you remember the photo too, that I posted 2 days ago -- that is a semi-rock garden... ? What zone are you in? maybe you'd like more of rock garden...

The Nursery is correct. They're not gaslighting you. Your tree is fine. A weeping tree is not in need of regular pruning. They are best left largely to themselves. They will often get a flattish top but it has nothing to do with the length or weight of the branches. It’s their natural habit.

I’ve looked at the two articles cited and imo the trees look far worse after pruning, especially the first one.

It's not "bald" lol- it's just that you are able to see branching at the top where the weeping starts.

And that is OK.

Thank you cearbhalll! My husband and I were really stressing about it but you, and everyone else who has responded, have really helped us to calm down about it. We're no longer worried and are really enjoying our beautiful new addition to our backyard. :)