Thoron

thoron64

I recently purchased an Acer Shirasawanum Aureum on a well-known gardening website. I think I have received a much cheaper Acer Palmatum but the supplier insists it is an Aureum. What do you think? Can anyone identify what I received? Thanks. 

nutcutlet

Is that hack back pruning the way you'd expect to receive an Acer? How well known a site and what are they well-known for?

wild edges

It's certainly not very golden and the leaves look a little deeply lobed to me but even assuming the leaves change as it matures I agree with Nutcutlet that it looks far too hacked about. Acers look best with their natural growth shape and I'm not sure what they hoped to achieve with that prune.

thoron64

Very disappointed so far. But sticking to the point, am I mistaken? I was expecting this leaf shape: https://www.google.com/search?q=acer+shirasawanum+aureum&client=ms-android-motorola&prmd=sivn&source=lnms&tbm=isch&sa=X&ved=2ahUKEwjQh93GsfbhAhUORBoKHXt2C0MQ_AUoAnoECA0QAg

Liriodendron

I think you're right to want to reject this.  I'd expect Acer shirasawanum Aureum to have more, and shallower, lobes.  Plus - yes, whatever it is, it looks horrible after all that hacking.