Trident maple ( Acer buergerianum ) leaves are shiny unripened and shaped like a duck’s egg ’s base with three pointy lobe . In autumn the foliage turns a rich yellowness and then deep russet red . This modest ornamental deciduous tree also displays an exfoliate barque with plates and scales of brown , tan , orange and grey-haired . Often grown as a small - size shade or street tree or bonsai specimen , it is appropriate in U.S. Department of Agriculture hardiness zone 5 through 8 , and to geographical zone 9 in the Mediterranean climate of the West Coast .
Size
Growth Habit
The trident maple ’s canopy is round and spread . Although a singular flora , it tend to ramify very low on its tree trunk , often creating a multi - trunked show . " Sunset Western Garden Book " recommends cut off low branches when the Sir Herbert Beerbohm Tree is immature to create a structure that allows for admittance under the tree diagram , especially if near a sidewalk or street .
Annual Growth
freshly emerge foliation typically has a reddish or bronze hue but matures to a rich , bright Kelly green by late spring . The non - showy flowers seem at the same time the leaf emerge , and result in little unripe samara seeds . The youngest twig have a slim red - brown cast to them , while older sections of branch are much more gray - Robert Brown .
Tolerances
Garden lit often refer trident maple as being drouth kind . While it does deal slight to moderate bouts with dry soil , its growth is retarded by overly teetotal conditions . According to Dr. Michael Dirr , trident maple ’s leaves do not develop leaf scorch or brown leaf margins when try by drouth , unlike most other species of maple . This masks the essence of drought . Overall , trident maple grows best in a more or less acidulent soil that is moist and well - drained , although it does suffer infertile and slightly alkaline soils , too . Moreover , the Sir Herbert Beerbohm Tree also demonstrates serious overall resilience to wintertime moth-eaten and summertime heat .
Seasonal Considerations
The University of Connecticut report that trident maple tree diagram survive winter coldness much better when mature ; new saplings and trees tend to suffer twig dieback in inhuman winters . Less winter kill is experience in the warmer parts of USDA hardiness zone 5 , where temperatures do n’t cast off below minus 15 F in winter . The Missouri Botanical Garden mentions that in region where ice storm or clayey snows are mutual , trident maple suffers limb breakage .
