Trident Maple Bonsai
Acer buergerianum
Bonsai Trees Difficulty: Moderate
📖 About this plant
A hardy, fast-growing deciduous maple bonsai prized for its three-lobed leaves (hence ‘trident’), attractive exfoliating bark that develops beautiful orange-brown and gray tones, and reliable orange-to-red autumn color. It is more tolerant of urban conditions and neglect than Japanese maple, making it an excellent choice for bonsai enthusiasts at all levels. Develops thick trunks quickly.
🧑🌾 Care requirements
☀️
Light
Full sun to partial shade (4-8 hrs)
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Water
Every 2-3 days
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Humidity
Moderate (40-60%)
🌡️
Temperature
5-30°C
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Soil
Well-draining slightly acidic bonsai soil; akadama-based mix; pH 5.5-6.5
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Fertilizer
Balanced liquid fertilizer every 2 weeks from spring to mid-summer; reduce nitrogen by late summer; stop feeding in early autumn
📋 Plant facts
- 🌍 Origin
- China, Taiwan, Japan
- 📏 Max height
- 20-45 cm (bonsai form); 10-15 meters in the wild
- 📐 Spread
- 20-45 cm
- 🕰️ Bloom time
- Spring
- 🎨 Bloom color
- Yellow-Green
- 🍃 Foliage color
- Green, Orange in Fall
- ⏳ Lifespan
- Perennial
- 📈 Growth rate
- Moderate
- ☠️ Toxicity
- Non-toxic to humans and pets
- 🌱 Propagation
- Seed with cold stratification; softwood cuttings in spring with rooting hormone; air layering in spring; fast grower from cuttings
🛡️ Health & Safety
🐾 Pet safe
✅ Non-toxic
Non-toxic to humans and pets
Common issues
- Verticillium wilt disease, Aphids and caterpillars on new growth, Leaf scorch in hot, windy conditions, Bark cracking on rapid trunk expansion, Overly vigorous growth requiring frequent pruning
💡 Care tips
- Three-lobed leaves turn brilliant orange and red in autumn,Fast-growing species that develops a thick trunk quickly,Tolerates heavy pruning and root reduction well,Requires winter dormancy with cold but frost-free conditions
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One click — added instantly. Watering every 3 days, fertilizing every 14 days.
