Description: (Sunset Zone 2-9,14-17,20,21,31-34, USDA Zone 5). Fast growing small deciduous tree. Mottled, orange-gray bark. This tree native to China and Japan has glossy, 3-lobed leaves that have spectacular red fall color. This maple is most often used for bonsai. Very adaptable, easy to grow, and has the potential for great buttressing lower trunk. We prune these as necessary to develop many branches.
Basic Care: Grows best in part shade to full sun. Never allow root ball to dry out completely. Protect tree from direct hot summer sun and do not allow roots to freeze in the winter.
Feeding: Fertilize just before and during growing season until autumn. Many brands of fertilizer are available and it is beneficial to use a variety of these. Follow all package instructions.
Repotting: Tridents have a vigorous root system so prune yearly or at least every other year. Older specimens every two to three years. Repot before leaves appear in early spring or after leaves fall in autumn. Correct root pruning is very important and cannot be addressed in a line or two. Please refer to your favorite bonsai book or local bonsai experts.
