Featured Plant

The Trident Maple (Acer buergerianum), which is from Eastern China, Korea, and Japan, can be found on campus at the Union Lane Parking Garage. This tree is most commonly used for its shade around residential areas, and on streets. The conditions which it grows best include medium amount of water and full amount of sun with tolerance for some shade. The soil conditions that it prefers to grow in include easily drained and acidic soil.

Trident Maple can grow to a height of 20 to 30 feet and a width of 20 to 30 feet as well. The “three-lobed leaves” that make up the canopy of the tree are about 3.5 inches long and are green in color, with the top of the leaf being glossy and the bottom being pale. During the fall months however, these leaves that are usually two shades of distinct green, are orange and red in color. During two different seasons of the year, flowers and fruit can be found on the tree. During the spring, flowers bloom on the tree and are green and yellow in color. The fruit that grows on the tree consists of samaras that grow to be 1 inch long. The bark is made up of a unique mix of colors including brown, grey, and orange.

The Trident Maple is easy to take care of and will not run into many problems. There are no pests or diseases that affect its growth or success. The main problem that it could possibly face is just damage to the branches during the winter months, which depends on the season’s weather and how much snow, rain, or ice the location has. There are also not any animals attracted to this tree, so there is no concern of pests of animals effecting the continued growth.

Written by intern Cameron Smith

Works Cited

Missouri Botanical Garden: Acer buergerianum. (n.d.). Retrieved April 27, 2018, from http://www.missouribotanicalgarden.org/PlantFinder/PlantFinderDetails.aspx?kempercode=b972

Trident Maple Acer buergerianum. (n.d.). Retrieved April 27, 2018, from https://www.arborday.org/trees/treeguide/TreeDetail.cfm?ItemID=1096

University of Connecticut: Acer buergerianum Trident Maple. (n.d.). Retrieved April 27, 2018, from https://plantdatabase.uconn.edu/detail.php?pid=28