Japanese Maple Tree for Rick. (given to the Hadley family by the Richie family)

Given to the Hadley family by Steve's girlfriend Moni, her mother Maru and daughter Miko.
Planted for Rick in his mother's yard overlooking the water that he loved so much.

Peace and Serenity

• Japanese maple trees have been considered a symbol of grace personified by many Asian cultures for hundreds of years. Associated with peace and serenity of the world's elements, Japanese maple trees represent balance and practicality and are called "kito" in the Japanese language, which means "calm," "rest" or "at peace."

Beauty and Magnificance

• The expansive, horizontal branches and bright red foliage of the Japanese maple tree inspire awe and reverence in tree lovers the world over. The tree represents pure elegance and an educated sense of tastefulness, and makes an excellent addition to gardens of any size. So revered is the Japanese maple tree for its striking beauty and rich colors that an entire field of art has been dedicated to the Asian shrub.

Arrival of Autumn

• Planting a Japanese maple tree in your garden traditionally symbolizes the welcoming of autumn as a friend. The Japanese phrase "momiki-gari" translates to "maple viewing" or "maple hunting," which refers to the ritual visitation to the mountains each fall to view the brilliance of wild maple trees. In Asian art, star-shaped leaves of the Japanese maple trees are often paired with deer, as both are common symbols of the arrival of autumn.