Acer palmatum Shishigashira (lion's mane maple) is one of my favorite trees. This upright Japanese maple thrives in full-sun. It's the first tree to leaf out in spring, and one of the last to drop its leaves in the fall. The bright green leaves are crinkly, giving the tree a unique appearance, and in fall, the leaves turn such a magnificent shade of gold, grown men burst into tears when they walk past my house. These trees are only supposed to grow to about 15 feet tall, but judging from mine, I suspect they can grow to 20 or 25 feet tall and about 8 feet wide.