I was under the impression these were ungrowable (sp?) in the Houston area due to the heat.
Last weekend I went to a neighbors house and he had one in a mostly sunny spot...it was 7 years in the ground there! He referred me to nurseries out of California that sell small trees. I checked and the prices seemed quite high, but the varieties were listed as hardy up to zone 9.
If I can find the same variety locally, is this feasible, or just a pipe dream? Anyone have input or experience?

mike:

Look into Shantung maples, they are designed for the Texas heat

I planted a japanese maple a few years back. It is in a shaded area in my front yard (big pecan tree provides shade). The Japanese maple is doing just fine. Relatively slow growing, but has been hanging in there just fine.

They do better in the shade. They seem to get thin and don't give you the color your paying and arm and a leg for in the sun because of the heat.

Actually they do better in full morning sun/ afternoon shade. If they are in full shade they be lanky and not full

I only do big tooth maples

Check out love orchard and blanket creek

Here in Dallas I have 3 of them so I'm not sure if it's completely the same from a hardiness zone but I can tell you all 3 of mine in the last 2 years have received major tip burn. They really need to be in shade or next to and underneath a taller tree.

I'm fairly certain one of mine is completely dead because it was mostly in full sun.

Correct, we stopped planting them unless they were pretty much full shade. Used them in small courtyards and as an understory ornamental. They are native to full sun, but can't take the sun in the deep south.