I recently obtained a small Oshu Shidare. Vertrees and Van Gelderen both say it will eventually reach a fairly large size, but offer no rate of growth. My impression is that it is a slow grower, like Shishigashira, but I was wondering if anyone knows the cultivar and can confirm that.
Hi Bill: Oshu shidare is not a speed demon for growth but it is a faster grower than most Shishigashiras are (remember there are two forms of Shishigashira and one of them is a slow grower and the other form can be a moderately fast grower up to about 6 feet tall or more. Mine grew fast up to 6 feet and then started filling in rather than growing taller). Oshu shidare is not a strong weeper by any means but does maintain its color pretty well, especially in Oregon from what I've seen of it. I have not seen many plants of this Maple, only about a handful actually. Jim
