We are maintaining this page as a point of reference for plant collectors, researchers, and enthusiasts.
This variety is not currently in production and may not return to our inventory. If you're interested in seeing it come back, feel free to let us know—your interest helps guide future growing decisions.
Interested in this plant for a larger installation or commercial project? Send us an email at hello@woodlanders.net
Trident Maple
Acer buergeranum (trifidum)
| Hardiness Zones 5-9
Acer buergeranum, the trident maple, is named for the neat three-lobed leaves, small and glossy, that point forward like the tines of a fork. This is a small, slow to moderate deciduous tree of eastern China, Korea, and Japan, long held in cultivation across East Asia and carried into Western gardens in the nineteenth century. Few maples wear age so gracefully: the bark exfoliates in gray, orange, and brown plates, revealing a warm inner bark that becomes one of the tree's quiet pleasures in winter.
Trident maples have been a favored bonsai subject for centuries, prized for their fine ramification, their tolerance of root confinement, and the ease with which they take to training. In the open ground the tree makes a tidy rounded crown, flushing with bronze-tinged new growth in spring and finishing the year in variable color, sometimes a soft yellow, more often a mix of orange and red.
Tough and adaptable, these trees shrug off wind, drought, pollution, salt, and compacted soil, which makes them an excellent small shade or street tree for difficult urban sites as well as a handsome lawn specimen. Site these trees where the peeling bark can be read at close range, give them sun and decent drainage, and they ask little else.
Pickup currently unavailable at Aiken Nursery
Here’s a closer look at how we produce our plants:
From rooting to shipping, our top priority is ensuring you receive healthy, thriving plants for your garden’s success.
The majority of our plants are carefully cultivated from rooted cuttings, while we also utilize propagation methods such as seed, air layering, and grafting, thoughtfully chosen to suit each plant’s unique needs.
Our plants are cultivated using sustainable practices, including organic soil blends and eco-friendly pest management, ensuring they thrive while minimizing environmental impact.
We are proud to contribute to local biodiversity through ongoing donations to the Aiken Arboretum and support for local wildlife conservation efforts, helping to preserve and enhance our community’s natural ecosystems.
What to expect upon delivery
All our plants are sold in 1-gallon sizes, though the height of each plant can vary depending on its growth rate and seasonality, typically ranging from 1/2 to 2.5 feet.
Each plant is carefully packaged with its roots enclosed in a secure plastic bag containing moist soil, forming a compact root ball. To ensure safe transport, the box is padded with recycled newspaper, providing both stability and eco-friendly protection from weather during shipping.
What is your return policy?
Review our full return policy information on our SHIPPING AND RETURNS POLICY page.
What payment methods can I use?
We offer 35 different payment methods including major providers like Mastercard, Visa, PayPal, American Express and Diners as well as many different local payment methods including Klarna, iDEAL, AliPay, Sofort, giropay, and many more.
Can I make changes to my order after it’s been placed?
At Woodlanders, we strive to fulfill orders as quickly as possible. Therefore, we can only accommodate changes to your order within the first 24 hours after it has been placed. These changes include adding or removing products and modifying the delivery address. If you need to make any changes or if there has been a mistake with your order information, please reach out to us promptly via our CONTACT page with your order number for the quickest resolution.
Your satisfaction is our priority, and we appreciate your understanding and cooperation.