A thick trunk, lovely colorful leaves and a sturdy disposition, the Trident Maple Bonsai Trees is one of the most sought-after bonsais by enthusiasts and collectors. This is a rapid-growing tree that is popular in city parks and gardens. It is hardy and can withstand tough conditions like dry soil, air pollution, and heavy pruning.
The Trident Maple was first bred in Taiwan and in eastern areas of China. When found in the wild, the Trident Maple is a medium-sized tree which can grow anywhere from 15 feet to 60 feet. After it was successfully grown in Taiwan, it was introduced in Japan where it was solely grown for bonsai and ornamental purposes. The Trident Maple is also known as the Chinese Maple bonsai tree. This amazing bonsai was first introduced in North America and Europe in 1896.
The scientific name for the Trident Maple bonsai is Acer buergerianum. The Trident Maple is not only ideal for bonsai, but it is also used throughout the world as a tree that is planted along sidewalks and in city parks. This tree is hardy and can withstand rough conditions, such as dry soil, heavy pruning, and air pollution. These traits also make it an ideal candidate for bonsai culture. This tree is a hardy tree that thrives in zone 5, which means that it is ideal for gardens and parks in temperate climates.
Trident Maple trees are a hardy tree that can flourish in a wide array of soils, including clay, sand, and loam. These trees prefer to have a free draining soil with approximately 40 percent organic matter when used as a bonsai tree. The organic matter is required due to this bonsai being a broadleaf tree. The aggregate addition to the soil for this tree can include Akadama, sand that has coarse grains, decomposed granite, pumice, turface, or diatomite.
The Trident Maple tree can handle significant root pruning as long as it is done at the appropriate time. The root pruning must be done prior to leaf buds swelling on the tree, typically early spring. This is also the ideal time to repot the tree. The tree can be repotted later in the spring after leaves are on the tree, but it will hinder the growth of the bonsai tree for the rest of the growing season.
The Japanese tradition for potting Trident Maple Bonsai trees is customarily to place them in glazed pots. The most common glazed pot used is cream in color. This accentuates the leaves, especially in the fall when they display shades of red and orange.
Trident Maples do not like extensive exposure to sun. They are able to handle effect from the sun as long as they have an adequate reservoir of moisture as well as nutrient rich soil. If the Trident Maple is kept in direct sunlight it needs to be in a deep pot to maintain appropriate reserves.
Providing that the bonsai tree is planted in the appropriate soil, with good drainage, it should receive water daily during warm weather, and every other day when the weather is cooler.
Trident Maples are a strong tree, which does not seem to have any issues with pruning. Cutting large branches from this tree will result in a profusion of growth located at the site where the cut was made. Wiring this particular type of bonsai tree is challenging, especially if the wood is older.
