Acer buergerianum, also known as trident maple, is a deciduous tree belonging to the Sapindaceae, or soapberry tree family. A. buergerianum is native to eastern China, Taiwan, and Japan where it grows from 20 to 30 feet tall with a canopy spread of 20 to 25 feet. The tree bark is gray-brown and becomes flakey with age. The leaves are glossy and bright green with a three lobed palmate simple shape that gives the tree its common name. The leaves are also arranged oppositely and measure 1 to 3 inches in length and 1-2 inches wide. Acer buergerianum flowers in April to May with small inconspicuous yellow to green flowers which later form into two winged seed pods. A. buergerianum is grown as an ornamental tree for its unique foliage and strong resilience. It is also commonly grown as a bonsai and street tree for these reasons. This tree prefers full sun to partial shade. It can tolerate some shade but develops its best foliage color and growth in full sunlight. Acer buergerianum thrives in well-draining soil with a slightly acidic to neutral pH. It can tolerate a range of soil types, including clay and loam, as long as the soil drains well. Water young trees until they are established (after 2-3 years), once established they become slightly drought tolerant needing to be watered when the top 2-3 inches of soil are dry. USDA plant hardiness zones 5 to 9.
Acer buergerianum seeds require a period of cold stratification to germinate reliably. Place the seeds in a ziplock bag with a small amount of moist, but not soaking wet, sterile substrate (i.e. sand, perlite, vermiculite, peat moss, or even a paper towel). Place the ziplock bag inside the refrigerator for 2 to 3 months prior to planting. Ensure the medium remains slightly moist during this period but not too wet to avoid mold growth. After the stratification period, plant the seeds about 1/4 inch deep in a well-draining soil mix. The soil should be kept consistently moist but not waterlogged. Optimal germination temperatures are between 60-75°F. Germination typically takes 2 to 4 weeks to occur. Even with optimal conditions, germination may be slow and sporadic.
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