Good plant, mediocre results — what went wrong with my Japanese Maple

Japanese Maple is clearly a great plant — I can see that from other people's results. Mine has been decent but not spectacular, and I think I know why.

I underestimated the importance of watering deeply and regularly in the first two growing seasons in the early stages and paid for it. honey fungus affecting roots especially on stressed trees also knocked the plant back at a critical point. It lives in a boundary or avenue planting in a larger space which is probably not quite right but it's the best I can do in my space. multi-decade investment that improves year on year is visible but muted. blossom or leaf burst in spring creating dramatic transformation gave me hope — there are glimpses of what it could be. Three stars for now with potential for four.