I don't know if they have special protections for it, but the arboretum grows a type called acer palmatum. I suppose you could call them and ask? It's very pretty.

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Notice that one is growing in a pot. Over the winter they bring it into a barn or somewhere protected. But ther are some. Greenthumb(Mike) has a cultivar that seems to stand up quite well. Can't remember what it is though.
Rick

My Acer palmatum Robinson's Red has done very well in my garden. The tree has seen -25°F without damage and the tree is in one of THE most exposed spots in my yard. I protect the tree with a cylinder of 4' tall chicken wire covered with burlap, and that's it. I do not put anything inside the chicken wire enclosure. The root zone is well mulched.

Robinson's Red is a seed-grown selection from a tree growing in Ohio, at Girard's Nursery, and since the tree is seed-grown I am not putting the name in single quotes. Girard's is the only source I know for the tree. Girard's did not list the tree for sale this year.

I have provided a link to Girard's web site, below.
Mike

Here is a link that might be useful: Girard Nurseries

I have an Emporer I that I planted last fall and it made it through the dreadful winter with virtually no snow cover (Mpls). It is planted close to the house in a sheltered nook on the south side, shaded some of the day in winter. I put about 15" of shredded oak leaves around it but did not protect the upper branches (it was about 24" tall when I planted it. It looks terrific and has grown a lot this summer.

I have a Burgandy Lace Japanese Maple for sale. It has withstood Maryland winters for 18 years. It is in excellent condition. It stands 9 foot tall with a 9 foot span. If interested contact me.

I keep hoping that global warming will change us from a zone 4 to a zone 5 so I can put in some Japanese Maples.

I've tried a few other zone 5 plants in the yard in the past 10 years and they are all doing well with no steps taken to protect them from the cold.

I have had an Emperor I since May '03 and it is now 7 feet tall. It does not die back at all, grows fast and is vigorous, but I did have to cover it twice in May '05 to protect the new leaves from frost. I would say that it is happy in the Twin Cities, not marginal at all.

I think a protected spot anywhere within the Twin Cities is worth trying a Japanese maple. I know of ine growing well in Prospect Park and on in Bryn Mawr. I've heard 'Bloodgood' is a hardy selection. Klemn's Song Sparrow Farm in southern WI has a good selection.

Korean maple is a great alternative but I don't think there is a red leaved variety.

Ted

My red dragon Japaese maple arrived this week. It was a bit disheartening when it arrived, just an eight inch twig with a wisp of tiny red leaves on one end. I paid that much for a twig?!?!

I dug a $1000 dollar hole (Always dig a $1000 hole for a $1 plant.) and planted the twig in a somewhat sheltered, somewhat shaded location.

It really likes its new home. Two days later and there are twice the number of leaves and noticeable growth.

I have hope.

I took the plunge on an Emperor I the other day. I found some reasonably priced ones in town and could not resist. It should be a nice protected spot during the winter and is slow to warm up in the spring. We'll see.