Red Japanese Maple Leader - July 2023

Last month, I planted a small (1.5 gallon) unknown variety Japanese Maple tree from the orange big box store that I couldn't pass up.  I still don't know that variety of the tree, but that doesn't mean I can't keep trying to 'get to know' it a bit in an attempt to figure out what variety it *is* in actuality.

Back in this post, I toy'd around with what it could be - ranging from English Lace to Garnet.  And that was based on the idea that it was 'upright' in habit.   But, is it upright?  I don't know.  I *do* know that the way to keep tabs on this is to document the leader and how it grows.    That requires a series of posts, but this one will serve as the kick-off.  Has this put on new growth since I planted it?  I'm not TOTALLY CERTAIN, but I'm pretty sure that this trio of stems that is lighter colored - at the very top - are all new (since being planted).  See below for the current state of the apical meristem on this red, unknown laceleaf Japanese Maple:

Is this an upright tree?  Time will tell, I suppose.  Right now, the leader appears to be upright, doesn't it?