Maple - Trident

   Trident Maple (Acer buergerianum) is a small to medium-sized deciduous tree of Asian origin, native to China, and widely cultivated in North America since the late 1800s for its adaptability and ornamental value. Growing 25–40 feet tall, it features distinctive three-lobed leaves, a dense, rounded canopy, attractive exfoliating bark with age, and excellent fall color in shades of orange to red. Trident maple grows best in full sun to partial shade and prefers well-drained, moderately moist soil, though it tolerates a wide range of soil conditions and urban environments. It is heat tolerant, drought tolerant once established, and is commonly used in bonsai due to its small leaves, fine branching, and excellent response to pruning. Trident maple is cold hardy in USDA Zones 5–9.