Andrew, first let me condition this by saying I have never grown a maple in Australia :-)) so my information may not be
entirely appropriate for your situation. But this is my experience in my climate:
- many Japanese maples are VERY sun tolerant, as that list suggests, and require no additional shade.
- many laceleaf varieties here are grown in full sun - west or southern exposure - and they thrive. Young trees may
sometimes experience summer scorching in this situation, but they will become acclimated and outgrow that condition,
provided other growing conditions (watering) are met.
- unless you have a rather sun-sensitive cultivar, a pre-existing shade tree is not necessary.
Having said that, your summer temps are significantly higher than mine and that could pose problems. It is probably wise
to consider the advice given you by your local nurserymen. I could list a number of trees that could provide some fast
shade, but again, I don't know their appropriateness for your situation. It is best to get this advice from a local
source that knows what will do best and grow quickly and is suitable for your climate. In the interim, you could always
construct some temporary shelter to shield new, tender trees from the harshest aspects of the summer sun. As to the lack
of change in fall color for your trees, that could very well be due to the fact that they are newly planted, obviously
well tended and watered and have not yet established themselves to your location and climate. I'd be willing to bet that
they only need some time to get situated before they start performing as described. Given the care you are clearly
lavishing on them, they should look stunning next fall.
Sorry about this advice being rather vague, but there is a significant difference in our climates and I can only relate
my experience with Japanese maples with respect to my considerably more temperate climate.
BTW, I just got two new maples - Villa Taranto and Ghost Dancer, which definitely requires considerable shade. They are
very much babies - gallon sized containers - and will probably remain as container plants. That makes 10 Japanese maples
in my garden, all but two grown as container plants.
pam - gardengal
Andrew Tan wrote:
Pam,
I have been told by a nusery man specialised in Japanese maple
that most Japanese Maple need some shade or another. This cause me
great concern as I have spent a great effort in improving my soil for
the last few weeks and went on a spending spree on japanese maple. I
have planted Bloodgood and Osakazuki plus many others to come and I
have been using the list of sun tolerant maples you have shown me as
guide for any purchase.
Few points he made
1.All japanese maple need some shade in Australian condition.
2.Laceleaf culstivars are less sun tolerant then the others.
3.You need to have a shade tree before any japanese maple can be
planted.
I am confused even more when another nursery man told me that shade is
optional. Both claim to have 20 years experience in cultivating
japanese maples.
Fact and observation
1. I think point 2 is wrong as I have seen many laceleaf under full
sun condition without any problem.
2. Temperature range I am in. Winter never goes below 0 C (32F),
summer is always between 30-40C (86F-104F), 1 or 2 days of 45C (113F).
3. My garden is South - East facing.
My question is
Would my sun tolerant maples more likely to be in trouble next summer
?
If i have to plant a few tree that can be used as a shade ? Which
would be the best one to go for ? (One that grow fast so I can
continue my Maple dream, not too big as I don't have a big garden and
also would have minimal impact to japanese maple that will be planted
close to it in the future).
We are in the middle of autumn right now, was told by the nursery that
I have missed by a few days for seeing great colors of japanese maple.
The strange thing is that all my japanese maples are still green ?!
(Autroperpeum, Sango Kaku, Osakazuki). What's a good explaination for
that ? (Too much water ? as suggested by J.D Vertrees's book)
Thankx again. I feel like a worrying parent.
(Andrew Tan) wrote in message . com...
Pam,
Great link and thankx heeps for the tips. 
Andrew
Pam wrote in message ...
Andrew Tan wrote:
Pam,
A new question regarding the maple and the sun. I have an unfortunate
luck of having my garden facing the sunset every day. Can you tell me
which caltivar of Japanese Maple will be better at facing afternoon
sun ? Thankx heeps.
Andrew
There are lots of J. maples that tend to be more tolerant of a late sun
location, certainly the straight species (Acer palmatum) and its
redleafed cousin, Acer palmatum 'Atropurpureum'. Most of the disectums
(laceleaf cultivars) can adapt to this location although you may
experience some scorching in their first couple of years. They outgrow it
quickly as they become acclimatized. The following link will provide a
good listing of others:
http://www.lakesnursery.com/page19.html
The ones you definitely want to avoid are those with variegation or very
golden foliage. Just make sure to keep the trees well watered through the
summer heat.
pam - gardengal