We have planted coral bark Japanese maples (sango kaku) for several years, mostly with good results.
Our present one, which is five years old and about 10 feet high, produced a surprise this fall: The usual brilliant golden leaves, but also, on the top branches, beautiful orange-red leaves.
It was as if there were two trees growing from the same trunk.
The yellow leaves have fallen, but the orange-red leaves are still there as of late November.
Any idea what could cause this?