Trees & woodland lore · Western North Carolina field companion
Trident maple
Acer buergerianum
Whole tree — Acer buergerianum. Species reference; the photographed specimen does not confirm the named variety. Age, pruning, and site affect its shape.☀ Full sun · ◐ Part sun or part shadeCathy DeWitt ↗ · CC BY 4.0Photo contextResized and converted to WebP; full original composition retained.
Problems to recognize in WNC gardens. These are documented susceptibilities, not a local outbreak report or a diagnosis. Weather, elevation and growing conditions change the risk.
Diseases & similar-looking injury
Verticillium wilt is a potential problem; look for persistent branch wilt or dieback.
Insects to recognize
No major insect problem is emphasized in the NC State profile.
When to look
Inspect new growth in spring and branch condition through summer.
A useful first step
Have recurring one-sided wilt diagnosed; also check soil moisture and root conditions.
More growing details
Read the leaves
Look for three main forward-pointing lobes. Young vigorous shoots may bear less typical leaves, so compare several.
Read the bark
Older trunks exfoliate in small plates, revealing orange-brown patches.
Fruit & seed
Paired winged samaras support the maple identification.
Winter character
Opposite buds and small plated bark provide winter clues.
Origin & place
An introduced garden species or horticultural hybrid; study it as part of WNC landscapes rather than assume it belongs to the native mountain flora.
WNC Notes
Tough small-to-medium tree with good bark and fall color; well-drained soil preferred.
Sun Exposure
Full sun–part shade
MATURE HEIGHT (FT)
25–35
MATURE WIDTH (FT)
20–30
BLOOM SEASON
Spring
BLOOM COLOR
Greenish
FALL / WINTER COLOR
Orange-red
Wet-Soil Tolerance
Moderate
Drought Tolerance
High
LOOK CLOSELY
Two views, a closer look.
Place two photographs beside one another. Compare the overall plant with leaves, flowers, or bark when those views are available. Captions identify what each photograph actually shows. Images are not at the same scale; species references may show different cultivars.
Whole tree — Acer buergerianum. Species reference; the photographed specimen does not confirm the named variety. Age, pruning, and site affect its shape.☀ Full sun · ◐ Part sun or part shadeCathy DeWitt ↗ · CC BY 4.0Photo contextResized and converted to WebP; full original composition retained.Trident shaped green leaves. Taxon reference; photograph alone does not establish a named cultivar.☀ Full sun · ◐ Part sun or part shadeBri Weldon ↗ · CC BY 2.0Photo contextResized and converted to WebP; no diagnostic content altered.Large flakey grey bark on a portion of a tree trunk — species reference; cultivar identity not inferred.☀ Full sun · ◐ Part sun or part shadeDalgial ↗ · CC BY-SA 3.0Photo contextResized and converted to WebP; full original composition retained.
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