Jls hands OMC (who is too lazy to type his whole name) some 'be nice' pills and tells him to go sit in the corner
stephentoddpope, if its a maple you care about, wait for spring. It is the best time to attept to layer your JAPANESE maple. I live in aust (RALIA) and so i can layer maples in autumn too, late summer early/autumn is fine if it doesnt get cold too quickly and you need to have mild winters or offer the JAPANESE maple some protection from the cold. If its a maple you just plan to practice on, I'd say go for it.
Juliet