Acer buergerianum
Acer buergerianum is a species of maple native to eastern China and Japan. This is a small deciduous tree with ascending branches when young, maturing to a more rounded canopy. Leaves are small, triangular and drielobbig. New spring foliage is a rich bronzy-red colour maturing to a dark green in summer. In autumn foliage turns yellow to orange to red.The tree, also known as the maple trident is easily grown in average, medium moisture, well-drained soils in full sun to part shade. It tolerates some drought.
Flowering period
Planting period
About this plant
Maple Acer
Maples (Acer) form a large genus of trees and shrubs, nearly all from the northern hemisphere and many from China. They range from small multi-stemmed trees to large shade trees. Their opposite, usually lobed leaves, colourful young growth, winged fruits and above all their fiery autumn colours make them garden classics.
Trident maple Acer buergerianum
The trident maple comes from the deciduous forests of eastern China. It grows slowly into a long-lived, rounded tree of around 10 m. The glossy leaves have three forward-pointing lobes and turn yellow, orange to deep red in autumn, while the grey-brown bark with an orange tinge flakes with age.
Location and soil
Sun or partial shade, in ordinary, humus-rich soil that stays moist without becoming waterlogged; slightly acid soil is ideal. Avoid heavy, very chalky or wet ground. Once established it copes well with dry spells, and it is hardy in Belgian gardens.
Pruning and care
Needs hardly any pruning. If necessary, remove dead or badly placed branches between December and February or in June. Water young trees during dry summers. Thanks to its tolerance of hard pruning and its small leaves, it is also a favourite species for bonsai.
Use in the garden
A fine specimen or park tree for medium-sized gardens, placed near the house to enjoy its summer shade and autumn colour. It also fits into a free-growing hedge and is occasionally used as a street tree.
Characteristics
Botanical
| Family | Sapindaceae |
| Genus | Acer |
| Species | buergerianum |
Flowering
| Flowering period | april, may |
| Colour (flower) | yellow |
Foliage
| Evergreen | no |
| Colour (foliage) | green |
| Autumn colour | yellow, red |
Growth habit
| Height | >1000 cm |
Location
| Winter hardiness | -30 °C |
| Location | sun, shade |
Use
| Type (use) | shrub, tree/standard |