Acer buergerianum aka Trident Maple

Acer buergerianum, commonly known as trident maple, is a species of maple that is native to eastern China, Taiwan, and Japan. This upright deciduous tree typically grows to a height of 8-10m and features triangular, pointed leaves with three lobes. The leaves start off bronzy when young, then mature to a bright dark green in summer, and finally turn orange-yellow to red in autumn. In spring, the tree produces upright pale yellow flowers in racemes, which are followed by brownish winged fruits in autumn. It belongs to the family Sapindaceae and is characterized by its opposing, hard, glossy leaves that are dark green above and paler below. The flowers are small, yellow-green, and appear in hanging panicles, while the fruit is a double lionfish with two seeds, each having a wing. Acer buergerianum is widely used as an ornamental plant in temperate regions and has been introduced to Japan, Europe, and North America. It is a popular choice for bonsai construction and is known to respond well to leaf reduction and pruning techniques.