Acer Buergerianum - Trident Maple - Evergreen Trees Direct

Acer buergerianum - Trident Maple

$140.00

Tax included. Shipping calculated at checkout.

Size: 30cm/33cm

30cm/33cm 40cm/45L 100L 200L 400L

Current Stock Height Guides

40cm/45L: Enquire within for height guide information.
100L: 2m - 2.6m Approx.
200L: 3m – 3.5m Approx.
300L: 3.4m - 4m Approx.
400L: 3.9m - 4.5m Approx.

Height guide disclaimer: Height ranges are approximate only. As living products, plant heights naturally vary between individual plants, batches, and seasons. No guarantee is given that supplied plants will fall within the stated range. If minimum heights are required, you mustconfirm current batch heights with Evergreen Trees Direct prior to purchase. Variation in height is normal and is not grounds for return, refund, replacement, or compensation.

Mature Height & Width

Mature Height: 6m to 8m

Mature Width: 6m to 8m

Acer buergerianum - Trident Maple is expected to grow 30cm to 50cm per year (moderate).

Root Ball Dimensions

Use this as a reference when digging your planting hole. We recommend digging at least 10% wider than the dimensions below to encourage strong root development.

30cm Pot: 33cm (W) × 30cm (D)
40cm/45L Pot: 44cm (W) × 41.5cm (D)
50cm Pot / 70L Pot: 55cm (W) × 41.8cm (D)
100L Bag: 50.6cm (W) × 52.8cm (D)
150L Bag: 66cm (W) × 55cm (D)
200L Bag: 71.5cm (W) × 60.5cm (D)
300L Bag: 88cm (W) × 63.8cm (D)
400L Bag: 99cm (W) × 66cm (D)
500L Bag: 122cm (W) × 66cm (D)
750L Bag: 134cm (W) × 69cm (D)
1000L Bag: 146.3cm (W) × 71.5cm (D)
2000L Bag: 176cm (W) × 82.5cm (D)

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Phone: (03) 7042 3318

About Your New Acer buergerianum - Trident Maple

Acer buergerianum, the Trident Maple, is a compact deciduous tree with a neat rounded crown and small three lobed leaves that give the species its name. Foliage turns through orange, red and yellow in autumn, and the bark begins to exfoliate in pale flaking plates as the tree ages, adding winter texture.

It grows in full sun to light shade in most soils, and it is notably tolerant of compaction, reflected heat and root restriction, which is why it turns up so often in urban planting. Growth is moderate at 30 to 50 centimetres a year. It is frost hardy and suited to cool and temperate districts.

Its scale makes it useful where a larger maple would not fit, in courtyards, narrow verges, small residential gardens and carparks. It takes pruning better than most maples and holds a shapely head with little work. For a well behaved deciduous tree with real autumn colour in a tight space, it is hard to fault.

Frequently Asked Questions

About Trident Maple

What is Acer buergerianum?

Acer buergerianum, the Trident Maple, is a small to medium deciduous tree native to eastern China, Japan and Korea. It is named for its three lobed leaves. The tree forms a rounded crown, colours strongly in autumn and develops attractive flaking bark with age. It is widely used as a street, courtyard and feature tree, and in bonsai.

How big does Trident Maple grow?

It reaches about 6 to 8 metres tall and 6 to 8 metres wide, so it finishes roughly as broad as it is high with a well rounded head. That modest scale is its main advantage over larger maples. Trees in restricted verges or containers stay smaller and can be pruned to hold a tighter frame.

How fast does it grow?

Growth is moderate at 30 to 50 centimetres a year, which is slower than a Red Maple hybrid but produces denser, stronger timber and a tree that holds its shape well. Expect a useful canopy within six to eight years of planting an advanced specimen. Watering through the first summers makes a noticeable difference to early growth.

Does it need sun or shade?

Full sun suits it best and produces the strongest autumn colour and the densest crown. It also grows well in light shade, though colour is more muted. Unlike Japanese Maples it does not need protection from afternoon sun, and it handles reflected heat from paving and walls, which makes it a practical courtyard tree.

Is it suitable for street and urban planting?

Yes, it is one of the more reliable small trees for hard urban sites. It tolerates compacted soil, restricted root volume, reflected heat and a range of soil types, and its root system is far better behaved than that of larger maples. The moderate canopy size also keeps it clear of most overhead services.

Is it frost tolerant?

It is fully frost hardy and grows well in cool and temperate districts across southern Australia, including the tablelands. Being deciduous, it is dormant through the coldest part of the year and takes hard frost without damage. In warmer coastal areas it still performs, though autumn colour is generally softer than in cold districts.

How do I care for Trident Maple?

Water regularly through the first two or three summers, then it manages on moderate watering. Mulch the root zone and keep the mulch off the trunk. Prune in late winter while dormant to shape the crown and lift the canopy, and remove crossing branches early. It takes pruning well, so shaping is straightforward.

Enriched Planting Mix (AO Certified)

$21.95

Enriched Planting Mix is a certified organic blend of Pure Magic Compost, composted animal manure, gypsum, composted coarse bark and a wetting agent, bagged in 30L. It is built to be dug through existing garden soil at planting time rather than used on its own, and the gypsum is what sets it apart from a plain compost.

Gypsum helps break up heavy clay so water and roots can move through it, while the compost and manure return organic matter and nutrient to tired ground. The coarse bark holds structure and keeps air around the root zone, and the wetting agent keeps moisture in the soil longer after rain or watering.

Use it when planting trees, shrubs, roses, fruit trees and exotic garden plants, particularly into clay. Dig a hole twice the width of the pot and 7 centimetres deeper, then mix roughly one third planting mix through the excavated soil. Spread 7 centimetres of that improved soil in the base before setting the plant in.

Frequently Asked Questions

About Enriched Planting Mix

What is Enriched Planting Mix made from?

It is a blend of Pure Magic Compost, composted animal manure, gypsum, composted coarse bark and a wetting agent. Each part has a job. The compost and manure supply organic matter and nutrient, the gypsum works on clay structure, the bark keeps air around the roots and the wetting agent holds moisture in the soil.

What plants is it suitable for?

It suits exotic garden plants, including roses, ornamental and deciduous trees, fruit trees, shrubs and perennials, and it earns its keep most on heavy clay sites. It is a planting mix rather than a potting mix, so its job is improving soil at planting time. Phosphorus sensitive natives are the one clear exception.

Is it safe for natives?

No, not for the phosphorus sensitive ones. The composted animal manure in this blend lifts phosphorus well above what Proteaceae such as Banksia, Grevillea, Hakea and Protea will tolerate, and the result can be leaf burn, dieback and plant death. Use the Native Potting Mix for those species, or plant them into unimproved local soil.

Is it certified organic?

Yes. It is a certified organic product with no chemical additives, which is why the manure and compost in it are fully composted rather than raw. That makes it sound around fruit trees and vegetable beds, and it means you are adding genuine organic matter to your soil rather than a synthetic conditioner.

How much do I need?

Work on roughly one third planting mix to two thirds of the soil you dug out of the hole. For a shrub out of a 200 millimetre pot that is only a few litres. An advanced tree going into a large hole will take considerably more. Judge the quantity by the volume of the hole rather than the size of the plant.

Can I use it in pots?

It is not a potting mix and should not be used on its own in a container. The blend is designed to be diluted through garden soil, and used straight in a pot it holds too much water and settles badly. For containers, reach for a premium potting mix, or the native mix if you are potting natives.

Does it need to be watered in?

Yes. Water the plant well several hours before you plant it, then water thoroughly again once the hole is backfilled and the soil firmed down. That first deep watering settles the improved soil around the root ball and drives out air pockets. Keep the water up over the first few months while the roots establish.

View full details

Type: Garden Supplies

Enriched Planting Mix (AO Certified)

$21.95

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Uses in my Garden

Street Tree
Avenue Planting
Feature Tree
Council or Civic Landscapes
Driveway Border

Acer buergerianum - Trident Maple works in an:

Woodland Garden – layered, naturalistic design under dappled light.
Heritage / Traditional Garden – timeless, classic plantings for period homes.
Modern Garden – sleek, minimal, and design-led planting.

Is Acer buergerianum - Trident Maple Evergreen or Deciduous?

Acer buergerianum - Trident Maple is an Deciduous (Defoliates throughout colder months) Tree

Mature Height & Width

Mature Height: 6m to 8m

Mature Width: 6m to 8m

Acer buergerianum - Trident Maple is expected to grow 30cm to 50cm per year (moderate).

Growth Rate of Acer buergerianum - Trident Maple

Acer buergerianum - Trident Maple is expected to grow 30cm to 50cm per year (moderate).

They are considered to have a:

Medium Growth Rate

Frost Tolerance & Ideal Climate to plant Acer buergerianum - Trident Maple

Is Acer buergerianum - Trident Maple frost tolerant?

Acer buergerianum - Trident Maple is Frost Hardy – Survives heavy and frequent frost without damage.

Does Acer buergerianum - Trident Maple Flower?

Acer buergerianum produces small, greenish-yellow spring flowers that sit quietly among the emerging foliage. Though subtle, they mark the beginning of its vigorous new-season growth and contribute early pollen for insects.

Does Acer buergerianum - Trident Maple flower?

Yes - Flowers

Flowering Period:

Spring

Flower Type:

Clustered
Pollinator-attracting

Flower Colour:

Yellow

Is Acer buergerianum - Trident Maple an Australian Native Tree?

No

Acer buergerianum - Trident Maple is Native to Eastern China, Taiwan, and Japan, where it grows naturally in woodlands and mountain slopes.

What is the Wildlife Value of Acer buergerianum - Trident Maple ?

Its dense branching provides shelter for small birds, while its spring flowers supply pollen for native bees and beneficial insects. The canopy also supports a diverse micro-habitat, helping strengthen garden biodiversity.

How much Sunlight does Acer buergerianum - Trident Maple need?

Acer buergerianum - Trident Maple will thrive best in:

Full Sun
Part Shade

Preferred Soil?

Acer buergerianum performs best in well-drained loam or sandy loam soils and prefers slightly acidic to neutral conditions. It may struggle in heavy clay or poorly drained sites unless improved with organic matter to enhance aeration and drainage. Keep soil evenly moist during establishment, then move to deep, occasional watering as the tree matures and builds moderate drought resilience.

Is Acer buergerianum - Trident Maple Drought Tolerant?

Is Acer buergerianum - Trident Maple Drought tolerant?

As a young tree it requires regular watering, but once established Acer buergerianum develops moderate drought tolerance. It performs reliably through short dry spells, though it benefits from deep watering during extended heat to maintain canopy health and colour.

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How To Plant Your Acer buergerianum - Trident Maple

Site: Choose a well-drained position in full sun to part shade with room for the canopy to develop.

Soil preparation: Enrich the planting area with quality compost and aged manure for a strong establishment phase.

Hole: Dig twice as wide as the root ball and the same depth.

Planting: Position level with the surrounding soil, backfill gently, firm in, then water deeply to settle the roots.

Recommended Planting Spacing For Your Acer buergerianum - Trident Maple

Feature tree: 3 to 4 metres apart to allow the full canopy and form to develop.

Avenue planting: 3 metres apart for a uniform soft-textured avenue.

Acer buergerianum - Trident Maple is expected to grow 30cm to 50cm per year (moderate).

Medium Growth Rate

Long Term Care For Your Acer buergerianum - Trident Maple

Watering: Water deeply twice weekly through the first 12 months. Once established, reduce to once weekly in dry periods. Mulch helps maintain consistent moisture.

Mulching: Apply a 5 to 7 centimetre layer of organic mulch over the root zone, keeping it 5 centimetres clear of the trunk.

Pruning: Minimal pruning required. Light tip prune in late winter to maintain shape, and remove lower branches as the tree grows to develop a clean feature trunk.

Fertilising: Apply a slow-release general-purpose fertiliser in early spring and again in autumn for steady growth and consistent foliage colour.

Pest and disease: Hardy against most pests and diseases. Occasional scale or caterpillar inspection in warm humid conditions is all that's needed.

Planting Your Acer buergerianum - Trident Maple in Different Soil

Acer Buergerianum performs best in well-drained loam or sandy loam with a slightly acidic to neutral pH. Adaptable to a wide range of soils when drainage is improved with organic matter.

Sandy soil: Free-draining and ideal. Mulch well to maintain consistent moisture.

Clay soil: Improve drainage with gypsum and organic compost before planting.

Loam: The preferred soil for steady root development and consistent growth.

pH: Slightly acidic to neutral preferred. Mulch with composted leaf litter to maintain levels naturally.

Frequently Asked Questions

Q. Is this tree suitable for hedging or screening?
A. No, it is a medium-sized deciduous tree best used as a feature, street, or courtyard tree due to its rounded canopy and structured form.

Q. How fast does Acer buergerianum grow?
A. It grows moderately, averaging 30 – 50 cm per year under standard conditions.

Q. What is the main visual appeal of this tree?
A. Its trident-shaped foliage turns brilliant orange, red, and yellow in autumn, and the bark becomes attractively exfoliated with age.

Q. Can this tree handle tough conditions?
A. Yes, it’s highly tolerant of urban conditions, pruning, and a variety of soil types.

Q. Is this a good choice for small spaces or courtyards?
A. Yes, its compact form, moderate height, and aesthetic value make it ideal for smaller landscapes, courtyards, and tight urban spaces.

Q. What level of maintenance does it require?
A. Very low — minimal pruning is needed, and watering is only necessary during establishment and extended dry periods.