I was recently given two trees. I am almost certain they are both japanese maples. I saw both trees in early fall, one that is more upright with a main trunk 5' or so high that then branches out into three parts each reaching another five feet or so. This tree looks like any normal tree except that the leaves are mostly at the top of the tree forming something like a canopy. I have never seen the leaves though as they had fallen already. The second tree is about 8' tall but the main trunk is only 1' tall then seperates into two branches. the lower of the two grows at a 45 angle a few feet then curves nearly around the rest of the tree with a few branches coming off of it. The other branch grows more upright but knots wildly in two places with branches comming off each knot. This tree reminds me of a bonzai from the karate kid. I did see the leaves on this tree in the early fall and they where lacey and green. both trees were planted in nearly total shade. From what I have read this isnt nearly enough info to name the trees but can they be narrowed down to a type? I am really interested in the funny shaped tree. I found a thread here about a 100 year old otto's. My tree's branching looks like that but 1/4 the size.
