Trident Maple, Acer buergerianum

Common Name: trident maple

Type: tree

Family: Sapindaceae

Zone: 5 to 9     Find Your Zone

Height: 20 to 30 feet

Width: 20 to 30 feet

Bloom Time: April to May

Bloom Color: Greenish yellow

Sun exposure: Full sun to partial shade

Fall Color: dark red and orange

Soil: well drained, medium moisture, acidic

Leaves: deciduous

Fertilizer: Vigoro Tree, Shrub and Evergreen or Miracle Gro Evergreen Tree Spikes

This beautiful 3 lobed leaf tree grows much like a Japanese maple in shape. Because of its slow growth, it is highly under appreciated. These trees exfoliating bark (on mature trees) and brilliant fall color are just 2 of the things that make this tree so great. It is very adaptable to different soil types and popular as a bonsai plant. Its flowers are rather nondescript.

PLANTING GUIDE

STEP 1: Digging the hole

• Find a location that has suitable sun exposure for your particular type of plant.
• Dig your hole an inch or two shallower than the rootball of the plant.
• Dig the hole twice the diameter of the rootball.
• Scuff up the sides of the hole with a shovel to help roots break through the native soil.
  

STEP 2: Putting plant in hole

• When removing the plant from the pot, check to see if the roots were circling the pot.
• If the plant is rootbound, gently break up the roots with your hands until loosened up.
• Set plant level, in the center of the hole.
• Make sure the top of the rootball is just above soil level.

STEP 3: Amending the soil and filling in the hole

• Amend the soil with proper amendments for your soil type. 
  
• Incorporate 50% native soil with 50% amendment soils like garden soil, composted manure or soil conditioner.
• Make sure dirt clods are broken up or removed from hole along with rocks.
• Fill the hole with soils to the soil level and pack down. Do not cover top of rootball with dirt.
  
• Water in thoroughly to remove air pockets.

STEP 4: Mulching and fertilizing

• Cover the planting site with at least 2 inches of the mulch of your choice (pinestraw, cupress mulch,etc.)
• High Phosphorus root stimulator fertilizers like Quick Start from Miracle Gro are great to use at time of planting.
• When planting trees, a tree stake kit may be required to prevent the wind from blowing over or breaking our newly planted tree until it becomes established.

Find your closest local store

Related Articles:

How To Tap a Tree For Maple Syrup

Types of Maple Trees

25 plants and trees with great fall color