Trident Maple Live Tree, Acer buergerianum, Bonsai Starter Tree, Three Lobed Leaves, Colorful Fall Foliage, Landscape Shade Tree

Bring beautiful foliage, distinctive bark, and versatile growing possibilities to your garden with Trident Maple (Acer buergerianum). This tough, moderate-growing deciduous tree is admired for its glossy, three-lobed leaves, exfoliating bark, and brilliant autumn colors.

A longtime favorite among bonsai enthusiasts, Trident Maple is also an excellent landscape tree for residential gardens, patios, streets, and parkways. Its adaptability and ability to handle pruning make it an appealing choice for both experienced growers and beginners.

Plant Features

• Common name: Trident Maple

• Botanical name: Acer buergerianum

• Plant type: Deciduous tree

• Growth rate: Moderate

• Mature height: Approximately 20–35 feet

• Mature width: Approximately 15–30 feet

• Hardiness: USDA Zones 5–9

• Foliage: Glossy, distinctive three-lobed leaves

• Bark: Attractive exfoliating bark

• Fall color: Yellow, orange, and deep red shades

• Light: Full sun to partial shade; full sun encourages the best vigor and color

Growing Conditions

Trident Maple is adaptable to a variety of growing environments.

• Soil: Prefers moist, well-drained soil.

• Soil types: Adaptable to clay, loam, and sandy soils.

• Soil pH: Prefers acidic to neutral soil but tolerates mildly alkaline conditions.

• Water: Maintain consistent moisture while establishing. Once established, it tolerates moderate periods of drought.

• Urban conditions: Tolerates urban pollution and compacted soil.

Beautiful Autumn Color

One of the highlights of growing Trident Maple is its seasonal foliage display. In late October and November, the leaves can develop brilliant shades of yellow, orange, and deep red, bringing vibrant autumn color to the landscape.

A Favorite for Bonsai

Trident Maple has been used in bonsai for over a thousand years and is considered a beginner-friendly choice.

Its useful bonsai characteristics include:

• Rapid trunk and root thickening

• Good response to substantial root and branch pruning

• Development of fine twig ramification

• Attractive exfoliating bark

It can be trained into several traditional bonsai styles, including informal upright, broom, forest, and root-over-stone designs.

Landscape Uses

Beyond bonsai, Trident Maple makes an attractive choice for:

• Residential shade trees

• Patio specimen plantings

• Street and parkway trees

• Urban gardens

• Landscape focal points

Seasonal Shipping Information

Plants ship according to the season:

• Fall and winter: Dormant plants without leaves.

• Spring and summer: Plants ship with leaves.

Shipping Information

• Free shipping to most locations.

• Larger boxes and shipments to Alaska, Hawaii, APO addresses, U.S. territories, or locations considered remote may require an additional freight surcharge.

• Orders may be held if temperatures are above 89°F or below 20°F until conditions improve.

Plant Inspection and Shipping Support

Every plant is inspected for quality before shipment. Although shipping damage is uncommon, please contact us promptly if your plant arrives damaged. Take clear photos of the package and plants so we can better assist you.

Thank you for choosing our nursery!