Trident maple Acer buergerianum
Trident maple (Acer buergerianum) is a deciduous perennial tree in the Sapindaceae family, native to Eastern China and Taiwan. It grows 6–12 m (20–39 ft) tall and 6–10 m (20–33 ft) wide, wants full sun and moderate water, and is hardy to about -23 °C (-9 °F). Space plants about 6 m (20 ft) apart.
Plan Trident maple in your garden →
Free. Draw your beds, then watch it grow through the year in 2D and 3D.
Trident maple at a glance
| Type | Perennial tree, deciduous |
|---|---|
| Family | Sapindaceae |
| Mature height | 6–12 m (20–39 ft) |
| Mature spread | 6–10 m (20–33 ft) |
| Spacing | 6 m (20 ft) centre to centre |
| Sun | Full sun, at least 5 h of direct sun a day |
| Water | Moderate; drought tolerance moderate, waterlogging tolerance low |
| Soil pH | 5–7.5 |
| Cold hardiness | About -23 °C (-9 °F) once established (roughly USDA zone 6) |
| Heat stress | Likely above about 38 °C (100 °F) |
| Flowering | from about April for 1–2 weeks (northern hemisphere; later in cold climates, earlier in warm ones) |
| Wind tolerance | Moderate |
| Pollinator value | Low |
| Edible | Not grown as food |
| Native to | Eastern China and Taiwan |
| Common in gardens of | 🇨🇳 China, 🇯🇵 Japan, 🇰🇷 South Korea, 🇺🇸 United States, 🇬🇧 United Kingdom, 🇩🇪 Germany, 🇦🇺 Australia |
Is Trident maple toxic?
- People: not known to be toxic
- Cats: not known to be toxic
- Dogs: not known to be toxic
No toxicity reported in ASPCA or standard poison references.
If a child or pet may have eaten part of a plant, call a poison centre or vet straight away.
Companion planting: what to grow with Trident maple
No well-documented helpful pairing. Group it with plants that like full sun and moderate water.
Questions about Trident maple
- How far apart should I plant Trident maple?
- About 6 m (20 ft) apart, centre to centre. A mature plant spreads 6–10 m (20–33 ft).
- Does Trident maple need full sun?
- Full sun: at least 5 hours of direct sun a day.
- How much water does Trident maple need?
- Moderate water. Drought tolerance is moderate and waterlogging tolerance low.
- How cold-hardy is Trident maple?
- It tolerates about -23 °C (-9 °F) once established, roughly USDA zone 6.
- When does Trident maple flower?
- From about April for 1–2 weeks (northern hemisphere; later in cold climates, earlier in warm ones).
- Is Trident maple poisonous to cats and dogs?
- For cats it is not known to be toxic; for dogs not known to be toxic; for people not known to be toxic. No toxicity reported in ASPCA or standard poison references.
- What grows well with Trident maple?
- There is no well-documented companion pairing for Trident maple. Group it with plants that like the same sun (full sun) and water (moderate).
Sources and evidence
Evidence grade B (B: extension service or peer-reviewed).
- Missouri Botanical Garden Plant Finder, Missouri Botanical Garden
- Flora of China (eFloras), Missouri Botanical Garden & Harvard University Herbaria
- Extension Gardener Plant Toolbox, NC State Extension
Notes and assumptions
- Small three-lobed leaves and flaking bark; tough as a street tree and one of the classic species for bonsai and penjing.
Reference values for planning, not horticultural, veterinary or medical advice. Varieties, soils and local climates differ: check with a local nursery or extension service.
Related plants
- Japanese maple Acer palmatum
- Red maple Acer rubrum
- Lychee Litchi chinensis
- Longan Dimocarpus longan
- Rambutan Nephelium lappaceum
- Sugar maple Acer saccharum
- Norway maple Acer platanoides
- Field maple Acer campestre