Trident Maple
Acer buergerianum · Deciduous broadleaf hardwood
Plant Family
Sapindaceae
Tree Category
Ornamental / Shade Tree
Variety / Cultivar
Standard species (widely used in bonsai and landscaping)
Hardiness Zones
USDA Hardiness Zones 5 through 9, showing high adaptability to urban pollution and various soil conditions.
About This Tree
A small to medium-sized deciduous tree with a rounded to oval canopy, often multi-stemmed or low-branching. It features distinctive three-lobed leaves that resemble a trident, exfoliating bark on mature trunks, and a moderate growth rate.
Leaf Characteristics
Simple, opposite leaves, 2 to 3 inches long, distinctly three-lobed with the central lobe often the longest, margins are mostly entire or sparsely toothed, dark green in summer turning brilliant shades of orange, red, and yellow in fall.
Bark Characteristics
Smooth and grayish-brown when young, developing attractive exfoliating plates or strips with age, revealing orange-brown inner bark similar to paperbark maple.
Growing Information
Origin Region
Eastern China, Japan, and Taiwan
Growing Season
Spring leafing, inconspicuous yellowish-green spring flowers, winged samaras in autumn, and winter dormancy with early leaf drop after vibrant fall color.
Sunlight & Water Needs
Full sun to partial shade; requires moderate watering when young and establishes good drought tolerance once mature, preferring well-drained soils.
Mature Size
Reaches a height of 20 to 30 feet with a comparable spread, growing at a slow to moderate rate with a long lifespan.
Special Characteristics
Highly prized for bonsai culture due to its small leaves and exfoliating bark, excellent drought and urban pollution tolerance, and brilliant autumn foliage.
Wildlife & Ecology
Provides nesting cover for small birds and supports local pollinators during its spring flowering period.