zone 10 Tree help

My wife wants a Japanese Maple in our front yard.... (zone 10 facing South, or 92804). Probably full sun???? Not sure how it will do or if its too much sun? Any help would be appreciated.

Thank you, Kelley

Japanese Maples are beautiful small trees when properly grown and pruned. There are many varieties and these have slightly different needs. They are native to mild, even cold winter parts of the world where the sun is not so intense, and there is rain year round. In the garden they need similar care.

The green leaf, not-lacy types are the most tolerant of the sun and heat, though I would never place it against the reflective heat of a south or west facing wall.
The red leaf, not-lacy types are just about as durable.

The lace leaf types will not handle the hot sun, and, most especially a hot wind. They are usually the dwarfs, and are best placed as shrubs for a part shade garden.

The best placement of Japanese Maples in hot southern California is in the shade of other trees, on the north or east side of a house, or other protected location.
Impossible placement is against a south or west wall that will intensify the afternoon heat.
The worst placement is in an area with a lot of wind. They may look OK in the spring, but by mid summer the edges of the leaves will start to burn, and there will be a lot of twig die-back.
Almost as bad is southern exposure, full sun all day.

In that setting, I would highly recommend a larger tree that will shade the house (unless you have solar panels on the house)

Why not look into a more tolerant tree that will handle the hotter and drier conditions? And, seriously, remember that you are not in an area with high rainfall. You really need to be thinking 'Drought tolerant landscape'.

Here are some small trees that need average garden water, but are more tolerant of the heat:
You will have to do more research to decide which will grow well in your setting, and suit your garden.
Salix 'Flame' and other willow relatives with the common name 'Pussy Willow'. Most are shrubs, but the largest can be trained as small trees.
Cercis canadensis 'Oaklahoma'
The smallest varieties of Persimmon
Certain dwarf Magnolias
Smaller varieties of Crabapple (Malus species, MANY varieties)
Photinia fraseri, trained as a tree. (Can also handle a drier than average garden)
Prunus- Many of the flowering cherries and plums could be listed as average to less garden water. In a hot setting probably average water is best.
Tillia cordata 'Summer Sprite' (there are several other varieties- June Bride is a good one, though a bit larger)
Callistemon (several species and varieties)
Citrus (MANY varieties)


Small trees for a somewhat drier garden:
Lagerstroemia hybrids (Most varieties with names derived from Native American words)
Crataegus (many species- have maple-like leaves)
Cotinus (many Varieties)
Robinia 'Twisty Baby' (Other varieties get much taller)
Leptospermum scoparium, L. laevigatum, there are several varieties.
Rhus lancea
Melaleuca- many species
Pistacia chinenesis

Thank you for your info Diana!

In case you didn't know it there is a Tree forum here that can provide more detailed info on various species.

http://davesgarden.com/community/forums/f/tas/all/

The tree forum is only available to paying members, which Kelley67 isn't. But I don't know how the information could be much more detailed. Lol