Hello Ciscoe, I have a beautiful old Japanese laceless maple in my backyard that has been the centerpiece of my garden for many years.  This year some of the branches have leafed out right on schedule while others are still just tight winter buds with no development.  To add to the mystery, one branch has a profusion of what look like flowers in little bunches.  First time this has even happened.  Our weather last summer and winter has was extreme and it looks like the tree is reacting to the stress.  Have you seen other reports of this happening?  What to do? Tom