Over the past decade residential lot sizes have shrunken. Small and medium sized shade trees are a better choice over large traditional choices of red and sugar maples. Trident maple (Acer buergerianum) is our best mid-sized summer shade maple in the Southern Appalachian region (USDA zones 6 and 7).

By mid-November trident has shed its gorgeous reddish purple autumn foliage.  The tree’s semi-upright framework and textural bark are wonderful winter features. The outer dark brown bark chips off, revealing the lighter colored sapwood within. 

Trident maple thrives under full sun in moist, well-drained soils. It struggles in heavy clay soils. Dirr[i] reports that trident is tolerant of moderately alkaline pH soils. After two years planted, an established trident tolerates summer dry spells and urban air pollutants better than most maple species. Wood strength is on par with red maple. Purchase a well-branched central leader tree.

This native of Japan produces very few seedlings. The lustrous three lobed leaves appear in mid-April, followed by numerous inconspicuous pale yellow flowers a week or two later. In September smallish two-winged (samara) seeds begin to whirligig down.

Trident maple is also an excellent choice as a street tree, particularly under power lines. Aeryn® is a leading  cultivar which matures into a 35-40 foot high and 25-30 feet wide tree.