Plant: Trident - Maple Tree
Maple Tree · Acer buergerianum
Size: 15 gal
Light
Bloom
Mature size
More about this plant
A small, tough maple of 25 to 35 feet tall and 20 to 30 feet wide that tends to grow with multiple trunks and low branching, though it can be pruned to a single stem. Its simple opposite leaves carry three forward pointing triangular lobes like a trident and turn yellow, orange or red in fall, while exfoliating gray bark flakes away to an attractive orange brown that improves with age. It takes full sun in clay, loam or sand and tolerates compaction, drought, pollution, salt and wind. Used as a lawn, patio or street tree, and it is a classic bonsai subject. The wood is weak and limbs can break under snow and ice.
- Full Sun
- Grows to 35 ft tall and 30 ft wide
- Blooms in spring
- Hardy in USDA zones 5a-9b
- Deciduous foliage
Plant description
A small, tough maple of 25 to 35 feet tall and 20 to 30 feet wide that tends to grow with multiple trunks and low branching, though it can be pruned to a single stem. Its simple opposite leaves carry three forward pointing triangular lobes like a trident and turn yellow, orange or red in fall, while exfoliating gray bark flakes away to an attractive orange brown that improves with age. It takes full sun in clay, loam or sand and tolerates compaction, drought, pollution, salt and wind. Used as a lawn, patio or street tree, and it is a classic bonsai subject. The wood is weak and limbs can break under snow and ice.
- Foliage
- Simple and opposite with three triangular lobes that point forward, resembling a trident; one and a half to three and a half inches long, turning red, orange or gold in fall.
- Bark & stems
- Exfoliating gray bark flakes away to reveal orange brown inner bark, which becomes more attractive with age and carries winter interest.
- Native range
- Eastern China, Japan and Korea
