There's some bloodgoods and some "red emperor" maples at my local Costco for $50. They're about 6 feet tall and look pretty healthy. After some brief research I think the Emperor might be a better choice for me (I'd prefer a more compact size, the bright color and am in Michigan). My apprehension comes from the color of the tree. It's got some very small red leaves but most of the bigger ones are a dark green color. I was curious if this was due to it being indoors and traveling here or if it might be something that wouldn't be rectified once I got it into the sun. For what it's worth all the blood goods were still very red. Any insight would be appreciated. Thanks!
It could be misslabled or it could of just been without sun for too long. If you don't want to risk it, find one that looks the way you want it to when you buy it.
Well, the reason I asked was because there was only one marked as a red emperor (there were only 4-5 total trees there). If there were two to compare I'd feel a little better. I actually bought it and have it held at the store. Maybe I'll just return in as it's only been 24 hours.
Probably just the lack of light. Plants I see at CostCo here usually seem to have the right names, at least those that the trade generally is calling them. Unlike at other box stores in the area, where looseness with labeling is to the extent that you can often find two different trees with the same naming beside one another, or a block of one kind of tree split up into three sections, each with a different variety name.
