Trident maple

Acer buergerianum Miq.

Pet & Human Safety

People: Toxic to peoplePets: Not on the ASPCA lists as we read them

Hazardous parts

Not yet checked.

Preparation

n/a

Hazard type

Not yet checked.

Hazard route

NC State's Plant Toolbox has no human-poison record, and no other source states one. This is not proof the plant is safe to eat.

How complete this information is

The safety information on this page is partial. Where a source covers a point, it is shown; where none does, the page says so.

Toxic to pets

No ASPCA entry found.

No toxicity statement on NC State or UF/IFAS. ASPCA has no page for "trident maple" (checked 10/11/26), so there is no ASPCA verdict. ASPCA does list red maple (Acer rubrum) as a horse hazard; that says nothing either way about trident maple.

PlotAndPetal cannot tell you whether a plant you found can be eaten. Only someone who can see the plant can identify it.

Poison control

If someone has collapsed, cannot be woken, is having a seizure or has trouble breathing, call 911 now. For any other possible poisoning, call Poison Help: 1-800-222-1222.

Emergency number source: U.S. federal law (47 U.S.C. § 251(e)(3)), read 2026-10-07.

Naturalist Lore

Historical Background & Breeding Lore

The history of this plant and its name, and how it was bred, where we have them.

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Care

Hardiness zones: USDA 5a-9b per NC State Plant Toolbox; USDA 4B-9B per UF/IFAS EDIS ST009 (the two sources differ at the cold end)
Light: Full sun (6 or more hours of direct sun) per NC State; UF/IFAS says full sun, part sun or part shade.
Water needs: moderate
Mature size: 25-35 ft tall, 20-30 ft wide per NC State; 30-45 ft tall, 25-30 ft spread per UF/IFAS (UF notes up to 60 ft in partial shade)
Where it comes from: Eastern China, Japan and Korea (NC State).

Soil & Drainage

Pruning & Flush Rhythm

Feeding Schedule

How to prepare the soil, when and what to feed, and how and when to prune where that applies.

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