Year two in my yard for this tree. Last year this tree grew five branches straight up, at least a couple feet above the rest of the tree. Then, this year, those same long branches started putting out new growth from their tall ends, which made them all flop to the sides from the weight. It definitely gives it a unique look.

Like the last tree I drew, the new growth on this one comes out red before maturing to a dark green–so dark that in shadow in can look almost black.

When I bought this tree last fall I thought its leaves were sparse because they had already been dropping with the turning season. Turns out, nope. The tree was just unhappy enough in the nursery conditions that it only had a handful of leaves, and a number of bare branches. It is starting to settle in and put on new growth now that it’s in the ground, though. (New leaves on this tree come out red before maturing to deep green).