Acer buergerianum, Trident Maple
Broadleaf Deciduous Trees

Acer buergerianum

Trident Maple

SapindaceaeEastern China, Japan, Korea

At a Glance

TypeTree
HabitUpright
FoliageDeciduous
Height20–35 feet (6–10.5 m)
Width15–25 feet (4.5–7.5 m)
Maturity20 years

Growing Zones

USDA Hardiness Zones

5 - 9
Zone 5
Zone 6
Zone 7
Zone 8
Zone 9
These zones indicate the coldest temperatures this plant can typically survive.
Frost Tolerancehardy

Key Features

Attracts Pollinators
Drought Tolerant
Container Friendly
Maintenancelow

Overview

Acer buergerianum is a deciduous tree reaching 20–35 feet (6–10.5 m) tall with a spread of 15–25 feet (4.5–7.5 m) at maturity. The crown is rounded to oval. Bark on young trees is grayish-brown and smooth; older bark becomes scaly and orange-brown, exfoliating in irregular plates on specimens over 10–15 years. Leaves are three-lobed, 1.5–3.5 inches (4–9 cm) wide, dark glossy green above and pale below, with shallow sinuses between the forward-pointing lobes. Fall color ranges from yellow to orange-red, persisting 3–4 weeks in zones 5–7. Small yellow-green flowers appear in corymbs as leaves emerge in April–May. Paired winged samaras, 0.75–1 inch (2–2.5 cm) long, ripen in September–October. The species tolerates drought, compacted soils, and urban pollution better than many maples, though growth rate is slower than A. rubrum or A. saccharinum, typically 8–12 inches (20–30 cm) per year.

Native Range

Acer buergerianum is native to eastern China, Japan, and Korea, growing in mixed forests and on rocky hillsides at low to middle elevations. In China it is found across the eastern and central provinces; in Japan it occurs primarily in warmer coastal regions of Honshu, Kyushu, and Shikoku.

Suggested Uses

Planted as a specimen, patio tree, or street tree at 20–25 foot (6–7.5 m) spacing. The compact crown and tolerance of compacted soils make it suited to urban and suburban streetscapes with restricted root zones. Widely used as a bonsai subject due to its small leaves, fine branching, and exfoliating bark. Not suitable for sites with standing water or prolonged poor drainage.

How to Identify

Acer buergerianum is identified by its three-lobed leaves with shallow sinuses and three forward-pointing lobes of roughly equal size — the lobes point toward the leaf tip rather than spreading laterally as in most maples. Leaf width, 1.5–3.5 inches (4–9 cm), is smaller than most other commonly cultivated maples. Mature bark exfoliates in orange-brown scaly plates. Paired samaras are nearly parallel, 0.75–1 inch (2–2.5 cm) long.

Appearance

Size & Dimensions

Height20' - 35'
Width/Spread15' - 25'

Reaches mature size in approximately 20 years

Colors

Flower Colors

yellow green

Foliage Colors

dark green

Fall Foliage Colors

yellow
orange
red

Bloom Information

Bloom Period

~2 weeks
J
F
M
A
M
J
J
A
S
O
N
D
Spring
Small yellow-green flowers appear in corymbs of 6–20 flowers in April–May as new leaves emerge. Individual flowers are less than 0.25 inch (6 mm) across. Samaras develop through summer, ripening to tan-brown by September–October.

Detailed Descriptions

Flower Description

yellow-green

Foliage Description

dark glossy green, pale below; yellow to orange-red in fall

Growing Conditions

Sun Requirements

Full Sun
Partial Shade
Requires 4-12 hours of direct sunlight daily
• Full Sun: 6+ hours of direct sunlight
• Partial Shade: 3-6 hours of direct sunlight
• Full Shade: Less than 3 hours of direct sunlight

Soil Requirements

pH Range5.5 - 7.5(Neutral)
357912
Soil Types
loamclaysand
Drainage
well drained

Water & Climate

Water Needs

Low

Frost Tolerance

hardy

Time to Maturity

15–20 years

Drought Tolerance

Drought tolerant when established

Care & Maintenance

Care Guide

Plant in well-drained to average soil with a pH of 5.5–7.5; tolerates clay, loam, and sandy soils. Water weekly during the first two growing seasons. Established trees tolerate dry spells of 2–3 weeks and show better drought tolerance than most cultivated maples. Tolerates urban pollution and compacted soils better than A. palmatum or A. japonicum. Fall color is most vivid in zones 5–7; in zones 8–9 color tends toward yellow-green rather than orange-red. Verticillium wilt can affect this species; remove affected branches promptly. No routine fertilization is required in adequate soils.

Pruning

Prune in late spring to early summer (May–June) after leaf-out; maples bleed sap heavily when pruned in late winter or early spring, which is not harmful but is aesthetically undesirable. Remove crossing, dead, or rubbing branches to establish structure in the first 5 years. Avoid removing more than 25% of the canopy in a single season. Remove basal suckers to their point of origin.

Pruning Schedule

J
F
M
A
M
J
J
A
S
O
N
D
late spring

Maintenance Level

low

Container Growing

✓ Suitable for container growing

Minimum container size: 15 gallons

⚠️ Toxicity Warning

Non-toxic