Trident Maple Bonsai Tree

Introduction

A thick trunk, lovely colorful leaves and a sturdy disposition, the Trident Maple Bonsai Trees is one of the most sought-after bonsais by enthusiasts and collectors. This is a rapid-growing tree that is popular in city parks and gardens. It is hardy and can withstand tough conditions like dry soil, air pollution, and heavy pruning.

The Trident Maple was first bred in Taiwan and in eastern areas of China. When found in the wild, the Trident Maple is a medium-sized tree which can grow anywhere from 15 feet to 60 feet. After it was successfully grown in Taiwan, it was introduced in Japan where it was solely grown for bonsai and ornamental purposes. The Trident Maple is also known as the Chinese Maple bonsai tree.  This amazing bonsai was first introduced in North America and Europe in 1896.

The scientific name for the Trident Maple bonsai is Acer buergerianum. The Trident Maple is not only ideal for bonsai, but it is also used throughout the world as a tree that is planted along sidewalks and in city parks. This tree is hardy and can withstand rough conditions, such as dry soil, heavy pruning, and air pollution. These traits also make it an ideal candidate for bonsai culture. This tree is a hardy tree that thrives in zone 5, which means that it is ideal for gardens and parks in temperate climates.

Scientific/Botanical NameAcer buergerianum
DescriptionThe three-lobed leaf distinguishes this ornamental tree. It has a thick-set trunk, and the upper back peels off easily to expose an under-bark that is pale orange in color.
PositionTrident maples grow best in a temperate climate, and USDA planting zone 5 is its ideal growing location. Mature trees can tolerate short periods of frigid conditions. However, the roots should be given frost protection because they grow rapidly and are vulnerable to frost damage.
WateringThe soil should be kept evenly-moist soil but well-drained. The tree will need daily watering between spring and fall, but watering should be reduced over the winter.
FeedingIn spring and summer, the tree should be fed monthly with a balanced fertilizer. No fertilization is required over the winter months.
Leaf and Branch PruningAs the plant grows, new shoots should be trimmed back to only two sets of leaves on trees that are young. On older trees, new shoots should be trimmed back to only one set of leaves. In the summer, all weak branches should be cut back by one-third to encourage branch strengthening and more vigorous growth. The roots are tolerant of heavy pruning.
Re-potting & Growing MediumYoung trees should be re-potted every spring before the buds unfold. Older trees are to be re-potted every two years. The best soil to use is Japanese akadama clay.
WiringWiring is best carried out on young growth, and the wire should be removed within the same season in which it was applied to the growth.
NotesThe tree roots grow at a rapid pace, and this makes it ideal for the root-over-rock style. The tree is nevertheless amenable to many other styles. Powdery mildew is a potential problem in areas with inadequate air circulation.

Appearance

The acer buergerianum is a tree with 3-lobed leaves. This differs from the 5 and 7 lobed leaves that its familial relative, acer palmatum, have. The leaves of the Trident Maple Bonsai turn various shades of orange and red in the fall. The remainders of the year the leaves are dark green, and have a bluish green under side.

The tree buds are a dark brown, which appear in early spring. The tree bark is a buff color that flakes off easily. Under the buff bark a pale orange under bark exists. As the tree matures, the bark darkens in color.

The Trident Maple Bonsai boasts a thick trunk, the thickest of all bonsai species trees. It is a type of maple that grows extremely quickly and has the ability to be constructed.

The trident maple bonsai can be grown from seed; however, it is more typical to start a tree from a thick trunk cutting. The cuttings require humidity and bottom heat to successfully root and grow.

Availability

The Trident Maple Bonsai is available at most nurseries and landscape nurseries located in zone 5, which is the temperate zone region. This particular bonsai tree is also available through some larger bonsai nurseries that specialize in selling and shipping bonsai trees in general.

General Care Tips

After purchasing the Trident Maple, the first step in care is to plant it in a pot or in the ground. Following the planting, grow and re-cut or chop the tree until the desired thickness of wood, in the trunk region, is achieved. This is typically a fairly quick process especially when the tree is provided with appropriate soil, nutrients, and adequate water. When chopping the Trident Maple trunk, it is essential to leave a small amount of leaves present. This enables the tree to be able to reestablish itself.

Soil & Potting

Trident Maple trees are a hardy tree that can flourish in a wide array of soils, including clay, sand, and loam. These trees prefer to have a free draining soil with approximately 40 percent organic matter when used as a bonsai tree. The organic matter is required due to this bonsai being a broadleaf tree. The aggregate addition to the soil for this tree can include Akadama, sand that has coarse grains, decomposed granite, pumice, turface, or diatomite.

The Trident Maple tree can handle significant root pruning as long as it is done at the appropriate time. The root pruning must be done prior to leaf buds swelling on the tree, typically early spring. This is also the ideal time to repot the tree. The tree can be repotted later in the spring after leaves are on the tree, but it will hinder the growth of the bonsai tree for the rest of the growing season.

The Japanese tradition for potting Trident Maple Bonsai trees is customarily to place them in glazed pots. The most common glazed pot used is cream in color. This accentuates the leaves, especially in the fall when they display shades of red and orange.

Watering

Trident Maples do not like extensive exposure to sun. They are able to handle effect from the sun as long as they have an adequate reservoir of moisture as well as nutrient rich soil. If the Trident Maple is kept in direct sunlight it needs to be in a deep pot to maintain appropriate reserves.

Providing that the bonsai tree is planted in the appropriate soil, with good drainage, it should receive water daily during warm weather, and every other day when the weather is cooler.

Pruning & Shaping

Trident Maples are a strong tree, which does not seem to have any issues with pruning. Cutting large branches from this tree will result in a profusion of growth located at the site where the cut was made. Wiring this particular type of bonsai tree is challenging, especially if the wood is older.

Older wood tends to be stiff, which will result in an internal fracture within the tree. This fracture will heal, but as a result of the fracture an ugly swelling will be located at the injury site. Due to this reason, it is only recommended to wire young growth on this particular type of bonsai and to ensure that the wire is removed as soon as the growth sets.

With the Trident Maple tree, and its quick and hardy growing, the wire will typically need to be removed the same season that it is applied.

Pests & Diseases

Trident Maples are a hardy species that are extremely disease resistant. This particular tree’s main issues consist of aphids on new growths and root rot. Root rot can be all together avoided by using the appropriate soil, which is a free draining soil and ensuring that the tree is never waterlogged.

Summary

The Trident Maple tree is a great beginner bonsai tree. It is very hardy with minimal soil requirement and only needs pruning to achieve the desired shape. It does not require more extensive bonsai techniques, such as wiring. Also, its fast growth rate will keep the novice interested in the tree, preventing loss of patience.

What will you need to follow this tutorial?

Trident Maple Bonsai Tree

You need the following to successfully grow a Trident Maple Bonsai Tree

  • A Trident Maple Bonsai tree or
    • You have two good options in growing your own Trident Maple Bonsai and that is either to use an already growing tree or to grow a tree from seeds. If you want to use an already living tree, be very cautious about the health, physical condition and the development of the tree that you will use. Purchase only from reliable local or online garden shops.
  • Trident Maple Tree Seeds
    • Growing trees from seeds are the most natural way but could take a lot of time. However, some bonsai enthusiasts still prefer to grow from scratch because they will be able to start conditioning and training the tree in the earliest possible time. Make sure to purchase only quality seeds from reputable seed banks and garden sites.
  • Planting Pot
    • A Japanese-style pot for bonsai growing is a glazed pot. You will find this kind of bonsai pot in all shapes and sizes. But more importantly, choose bonsai pots with adequate drainage holes to allow water and excess fertilizer to drain from.
  • Balanced fertilizer
    • Bonsai plants and trees need a balanced fertilizer formula to provide the right nutrients that your thriving bonsai trees need. There are many kinds of fertilizers but make sure to use natural and organic nutrients to preserve the health of your growing trees.
  • A sharp pair of scissors
    • You need a handy sharp pair of scissors to prune and shape your bonsai. You need scissors to style your bonsai according to the growing style you want to achieve.
  • Pliers or cutter
    • Pliers or cutter will cut through thick or thin wires. It can also be used to cut through thick stems and trunks and to remove or peel off tree trunks.
  • Clean water for watering
    • You may use rainwater or tap water to water your bonsai plants provided that these are safe and do not contain dangerous components. If you are unsure about the quality of your water supply, have it tested or use a home testing kit.
  • Anodized aluminum for bonsais with soft trunks
    • This type of wire is perfect for bonsais with soft trunks since it is very pliable and will not pierce the precious tree trunk of your delicate plants.
  • Annealed copper wires for bonsais with thicker trunks
    • This type of wire is stronger and therefore is perfect for bonsais with thicker trunks.
  • Aggregates like Akadama, sand with coarse grains, decomposed granite, pumice,turface or diatomite
    • These materials can improve the aerating quality of your potting soil. Place this initially inside the bonsai pot before adding a layer of potting soil. These materials will permit excess water to drain from the roots. It will also allow excess nutrients to drain from the roots as well to prevent nutrient toxicity These will also allow oxygen to move into the roots of the plant.

Step by step instruction

Successfully growing a Trident Maple Bonsai Tree is one of the joys of every bonsai grower and collector. This can only be achieved by initially orienting yourself with the Trident Maple and understanding its growing needs and growing quirks. Another important thing that you must have when growing any kind of bonsai is commitment.

A bonsai tree is not just any kind of ornamental plant. It requires true commitment, patience, and skills. Most bonsais are very hardy like the Trident Maple but some need a good amount of patience and skills to be able to grow well. This step by step tutorial on how to grow a Trident Maple should be able to help you cultivate this bonsai and prepare you to grow more challenging bonsai breeds.

1) Understand fast facts about the Trident Maple Bonsai

A Trident Maple Bonsai is a beautiful ornamental plant that can be easily distinguished from other bonsai trees. The following is a summary of the most important things that you must know about this bonsai tree. These would be able to help you get started on growing a Trident Maple Bonsai.

Description

  • This bonsai has three-lobed leaves
  • This bonsai has a thick-set trunk
  • This bonsai’s trunk has an upper back that peels off easily to expose a pale orange under the bark
  • Roots may grow rapidly compared to other bonsai plants
  • Overall, this bonsai has a sense of “balance” that most collectors can easily distinguish

Growing Position

  • This bonsai grows best in temperate climates
  • This bonsai is ideally grown in the USDA planting zone 5 region
  • As this bonsai becomes mature, it will be able to tolerate short periods of frigid conditions
  • Because of its ability to grow in cold climates for a short period of time, the roots of this bonsai are susceptible to frost damage.

Watering

  • This bonsai needs daily watering
  • The soil should be kept evenly-moist but make sure that it is well-drained
  • Daily watering should be done between spring and fall but gradually reduced during the cold months.

Feeding

  • This bonsai requires at least a monthly feeding of a balanced fertilizer
  • This does not require fertilizers during the winter or during the cold months
  • Choose quality and good fertilizers that will help you grow this bonsai well
  • Natural and organic fertilizer are the best ways to fertilize a Trident Maple

Leaf and Branch Pruning

  • New shoots should be trimmed back to two sets of leaves as the young bonsai grows
  • As the bonsai grows older, new shoots should be trimmed back to only one set of leaves
  • Remove all weak branches during the summer time
  • The roots are very resilient even to heavy pruning

Re-Potting & Growing Medium

  • Young Trident Maple bonsai trees should be re-potted every spring. This is before the buds open
  • Older Trident Maple bonsais need to be repotted every two years.
  • When choosing the best soil to use for this bonsai, the Japanese akadama clay is best suited

Wiring Your Bonsai

  • This bonsai should be wired when the bonsai is still  young
  • The wire should be placed  on the bonsai where there is new growth
  • The wire should be removed within the same season

Important Notes

  • Trident Maple roots grow fast making it good to grow in a root-over-rock cycle.
  • This bonsai may also be grown and shaped in a variety of shapes and styles.
  • Trident Maple is also susceptible to powdery mildew so adequate air circulation should be kept.

2) Distinguishing Trident Maple Bonsai trees from other bonsais

Bonsai growers and collectors easily distinguish the Trident Maple from other bonsais with its 3-lobed leaves. This breed is very different from other 5 to 7-lobed leaves relatives. The leaves of this bonsai tree are able to change into different colors. It can change from green to various shades of orange and red during fall. But during the remaining days of the year, its leaves remain dark green with a bluish underside.

The buds of the Trident Maple bonsai are dark brown in color and usually appear during early spring. The tree bark is buffed but flakes off and can be removed easily. When the bark is removed, a pale orange trunk or under the bark is revealed. The bark of the tree darkens in color as the tree matures. The trunk is thick and is considered as one of the thickest of all bonsai trees. Overall, the Trident Maple can grow fast and is easy to be constructed as well.

3) Purchasing a Trident Maple

Basically, to start growing and cultivating a Trident Maple Bonsai Tree, you must first purchase a Trident Maple. Most bonsai growers and retailers will offer a young plant for beginners and for people who have never tried to grow Trident Maple; the trick is to be smart when shopping for bonsai plants. Here are a few time-tested tips:

  • Choose large garden centers for low-prized bonsai trees. This is the best place to shop for a variety of bonsai plants and accessories. A dedicated online site or specialized bonsai shops can sell you top quality bonsai plants but for a higher price.
  • If you are new to growing bonsais, choose a bonsai tree that is easy to grow and care for.
  • Choose a tree that is suitable to the place where you intend to grow it. Take note that only sub-tropical trees will work well for indoor growing. Other trees will only grow well when grown outdoors just like ordinary trees.
  • Do your own research and find out what type of bonsai you just brought. A bonsai shop store owner can provide you a good amount of information about your purchase. He will also be able to give you more tips on how to take care of your plant properly.
  • It’s usually impossible to check the plant roots for good growth and usually, the overall appearance of the bonsai and its ability to grow well will give you a hint as to how healthy its root systems are.

Always check the pot for any damage.

4) Growing a Trident Maple Bonsai from seeds

One way to enjoy the company of a Trident Maple bonsai is to grow a bonsai from seeds. Not only will you have complete control of your plant’s growth but you will also be able to do it during its very early stages of life. But let me warn you, it could take three years for a tree to grow (depending on the species that you picked) therefore you need a lot of patience. But if you still wish to proceed with growing a bonsai from seeds then read on.

Some growing from seed facts:

  • There are no special bonsai tree seeds because bonsai trees come from regular seeds of regular trees.
  • Instead of buying seeds why not look for seeds from trees that you already have in your own yard or neighborhood?
  • Choosing to grow seeds that came from your own yard makes it easier for you because you already know its climate needs, its appearance, and growing needs as well. And of course, you don’t have to spend money on seeds because you can get these for free.

If you plan to use seeds from your backyard or neighborhood then planting it during autumn will just work fine. However, if you plant seeds that are not found from where you are located and plant these out of season then a process called “stratification” is needed.

Stratification is treating seeds before planting them to stimulate natural winter climates which are what the seeds naturally endure before germination. This could be quite complicated for anyone new to growing trees so it would be wise to simply use seeds found in your local area.

Growing Trident Maple bonsais from seeds

Once you have your seeds, find out about the stages of development of seedlings of Trident Maple seeds first. This is a test of your patience and your skills as a grower so it’s best to start slow. Here is a step by step instructions on how to plant Trident Maple trees seeds.

  • Use a small, shallow plant pot with good drainage. Two holes at the bottom of the pot or on the sides would do great.
  • Next, apply a layer of coarse, water-draining substrate. You may use lava rocks or grit. This will help remove excess water and fertilizer from the plant roots and allows oxygen to move into the plant roots as well.
  • After applying substrate, add another layer of regular bonsai potting soil. You can purchase bonsai soil from any garden center or bonsai accessories store.
  • Place seeds on the soil. Leave room in between seeds so that root systems will be able to develop well.
  • Add a top layer of standard bonsai soil at about an inch of soil will do. Afterward, use your fingers to compact the soil.
  • Water your seeds. Keep the seedbed slightly most daily. Water your pot at least once a day, after the soil has dried and not too wet.

Growing Trident Maple Bonsai from cuttings

Another way to grow your favorite bonsai is by using cuttings. This is basically done by cutting stems of a young tree and planting it. But just like using seeds, it takes a lot of time for cuttings to grow therefore you need to be patient. It is done this way

  • Get cuttings from a healthy Trident Maple tree. The cutting should be a healthy stem of the tree which has no issues (no dryness, molds, insects, and
  • Use a sharp knife or scissors to cut the part from the tree. Make a diagonal cut.
  • Immediately dip the cutting in water to avoid air pockets from entering the roots
  • To plant cuttings, wait till these develop roots and plant these in large pots first.
  • Water cuttings daily, keep the soil moist.
  • Cuttings need to become stronger before these can be pruned. You may need to wait for three years before you start pruning your cuttings.

5) Caring for a Trident Maple Bonsai

Trident Maple Bonsais are very hardy trees and usually, once the tree has reestablished itself after much pruning and cutting, you don’t need to do so much at all. The primary step in caring for this type of bonsai is to make sure that you cut it correctly so it can establish itself quickly. This goes whether you grow your bonsai in a pot or directly from the ground.

Use only natural and organic fertilizer and nutrients in caring for your bonsai. Natural and organic fertilizer mixes do not contain components that can harm your bonsai. These will also deliver natural nutrients that are easier to absorb compared to synthetic ingredients. You may also use your own fertilizer mix or compost but consider the right amounts of nutrients that your tree needs to grow healthy.

6) Soil and repotting a Trident Maple Bonsai

One of the most admirable characteristics of Trident Maple Bonsais is that these can grow and flourish in almost any kind of soil. Therefore this can be cultivated in clay, sand or loamy soil. This tree needs free-draining soils with about 40% organic matter. The Trident Maple needs organic matter in soil because it is a classified as a broadleaf tree. Aggregates that should be added to the soil to improve aeration could be Akadama, sand with coarse grains, decomposed granite, pumice, turface or diatomite.

In line with potting, the Trident Maple can survive even when its roots are significantly pruned as long as root pruning is done at the best time. Pruning the roots should be done before the leaf buds swell on the tree which is around early spring. It is also during this time when your young tree should be repotted. Repotting may be done later in spring.

The type of pot for repotting

There are a variety of pots that you can use to repot your Trident Maple Bonsai but to follow true Japanese tradition; your trees should be placed in glazed pots. The ideal pot to use is cream in color because this accentuates the leaf colors of the Trident Maple during fall. Cream colored glazed pots will highlight the red and orange shades of the tree. But if you wish to use other colors, then by all means. Glazed pots for bonsai growing are available from online sites or from actual local garden supplies.

Things to consider when choosing a bonsai pot

The very first thing that you need to look for when buying a pot for your bonsai is the drainage. Though some glazed pots may be fancy, these may not have adequate drainage to start with. If a large and deep pot it used, about four or more drainage holes should be present. Drainage holes are not just for draining excess water

  • Drainage holes will also prevent nutrient lock in the soil. Liquid nutrients are easily absorbed by the roots while the excess naturally drains in the soil. Pots that don’t have adequate drainage holes will only keep nutrients in the soil and will only accumulate and cause toxicity.
  • Drainage holes will also allow oxygen to move into the soil and to the roots. Oxygen passes through these drainage holes and move through soil and is absorbed by the roots.
  • Drainage holes will help improve root systems of plants. During the early stages of bonsai growing, your trees need to establish a good root system and this can be accomplished by using the right type of soil and using a pot with a good drainage system.
  • Drainage holes allow garden “friends” to move into the pot. One advantage of growing your bonsai outdoors is the presence of garden insects and earthworms. These creatures will be able to fight pests, replenish nutrients in the soil and keep the soil aerated as well.

7) Watering a Trident Maple Bonsai

This type of bonsai tree is not too happy about extensive sun exposure but would be able to thrive under the sun as long as these get adequate amounts of moisture and are planted in nutrient-rich soil. So as a general rule, if you plan to grow your Trident Maple under the sun, a deeper pot should be used so that this can hold more water or moisture. For growing bonsai indoors, a shallower pot is adequate.

The Trident Maple bonsai need to be planted in the appropriate soil with good water drainage. This should be watered daily especially during warm water. You must water this bonsai every other day when the weather turns cooler. This is an important thing to remember if you are growing your bonsai outdoors because growing outdoors makes plants susceptible to climate changes.

8) Pruning and shaping a Trident Maple Bonsai

No doubt that the Trident Maple bonsai is a strong tree which means that even first-time growers won’t have issues with cutting, shaping and pruning this tree. A good characteristic of this bonsai is that cutting large branches may result in quick growth at the site where the cut was made.

Placing wires to train branches and to shape the bonsai trunk could be a challenge. This is why it has to be started when the tree is still young. Wiring when the wood is older may yield poor results because old wood may be too stiff. Wiring old wood can cause internal fractures within the tree. And although the fracture may heal after quite some time, an ugly mark or swelling will develop along the fracture site.

Wiring young Trident Maples is the best way to go. It is also important to remember to remove the wire as soon as the bonsai’s growth has set. And because the Trident Maple grows quick and is hardy as well, the wire will be typically removed the same season it was attached.

Important wiring techniques

Wiring is a good way to shape style and train bonsai trees. By wrapping the wire around the young branches of a bonsai tree, you will be able to reposition its branches according to the shape you want. Usually, it will take a few months before the branches are set according to the shape. When it is set, the wire should be removed.

Wiring can be done any time of the year for most bonsai trees. Deciduous trees should be wired in the late winter because the absence of leaves can make wiring easier. During the growth season, the tree branches grow thicker and faster, therefore, the wire can cut through the bark which can lead to marks and ugly scars. While your bonsai tree is wired, you need to check on this regularly and remove the wire according to schedule.

The type of wire to use

There are two kinds of wire that you can use to wire a Trident Maple or just about any bonsai tree. You may use anodized aluminum and annealed copper. Aluminum is perfect for deciduous trees. Harder and wires like copper are for harder species like conifers and pines. If you are new to wiring bonsai trees then you must use the anodized aluminum wire which is easier to use and is readily available in hardware shops.

The wire also comes in a variety of thicknesses (usually from 1 to 8mm). Usually, 1 mm to 4 mm is commonly used. When wiring thick branches, you must wrap these first with raffia-soaked water. Raffia is palm fiber available in most garden centers. This will protect branches from damage due to wiring and bending.

How to wire a Trident Maple bonsai tree

You must learn how to wire bonsais before you proceed with wiring actual plants.

  • Wire two branches of the same thickness that are located near each other with a single piece of wire (double-wiring). Wire branches separately (single wiring).
  • Wire two branches that you want to shape before bending them. This will prevent any injuries on any of the two branches.
  • When shaping an entire tree, start wiring from the trunk to the primary branches before proceeding with the secondary branches.
  • Use a wire of 1/3 thickness of the branch that you are wiring. The wire has to be thick enough to hold the branch to its new shape or style.

Using a double-wire technique to wire a bonsai

  • Choose the pair of branches that you will wire together. Take note that the branches need to be of the same thickness and found near each other. The wire should be wrapped around the trunk at least once so that the wire will not move.
  • Cut off the wire according to the length you will use.
  • Start wrapping the wire around the trunk and then move on to the first branch. You will start from the base of the branch to the tip and then proceed with wiring the next branch.
  • The wire should be wrapped around the branches at an angle of 45 degrees. Keeping this angle will allow the tree to grow thicker while maintaining its new shape.
  • When bending a branch downwards from the trunk, the wire must come from below. When bending a branch upwards, the wire should come from above.
  • After you are done wiring all pairs of branches, wire the remaining branches with the single-wire technique.

Using a double-wire technique to wire a bonsai

  • Just like the double wiring technique, cut the right length of wire
  • Start wrapping the end of the wire to the base of the trunk. Wrap it at least twice around the trunk at an angle of 45 degrees
  • If you plan to use multiple wires in the same area of the trunk or branch, do not put these neatly in line since you can cut off the branch or damage it.
  • Continue wiring the branch

After you have wired all the branches you need to reposition, you may now start bending and repositioning the branches. This should be done very carefully by holding the outside of the branch with your fingers. Now bend the branch using the inside of the curve using your thumbs.

You must be very careful so you won’t split the delicate branches. When the branch is in position, stop moving it to prevent severe damage. Bend straight sections of branches slightly to make the style more natural.

Post-wiring care for your Trident Maple

After wiring your Trident Maple bonsai tree it’s time for some serious aftercare. Place your tree (in a pot) in the shade. Feed it with nutrients like you would; no need to change any fertilizer components. Keep a close eye on the bonsai during the growing season and remove the wires on schedule to prevent these from injuring or cutting the tree bark.

When removing wires, cut the wires at every turn. Do not attempt to unwind the entire strand of wire to recycle it because you could possibly damage your tree. Removing wires at every turn makes it easier to remove as well.

Step by step instructions on how to wire a bonsai

  • Study the bonsai that you will wire. Decide if you will use a double or single wire to position the branches.
  • Select the thickness of the wire you will use.
  • Take one end of the wire and wrap it around the branch at a 45-degree
  • Wrap the wire neatly in line
  • Once you have completely wired the branches you want to correct, bend the branches into position to shape your bonsai
  • Use a guy wire to bring down branches that are too high. Wrap a protective material around the branch and place a hook at the end. Secure the hook. Once the hook is in place, a thick piece of wire should hang from it.
  • Extend the guy wire downwards and attach it to a strong root. This will hold the branch down.
  • Check on your tree regularly after wiring it. Remove the wires as scheduled to prevent the wires from growing into the branches.

9) How to prevent pests & diseases

Trident Maple bonsai trees are among the hardiest species of trees. This tree is disease-resistant which means you don’t need to worry about tree diseases that can infect your precious bonsai. However, you need to be very careful about the development of aphids on its new growths as well as root rot.

Root rot may be avoided by using the ideal soil for bonsai trees and using the most suitable planting pot for your plants. Avoid overwatering your plants. Water only when the soil is dry. On the other hand, aphids may be prevented by introducing ladybugs in your garden. These garden insects will eat aphids and save your plants.

Keep in mind that you will only be able to grow disease-free and pest-free Trident Maple bonsai trees if you purchase healthy bonsai plants. Growing your bonsai outdoors can also make it susceptible to pests.

Conclusion

One of the easiest to cultivate is the Trident Maple Bonsai Tree. This is easy to grow and care for making it a good bonsai for beginner growers. It has minimal soil requirements and only needs minimal pruning to achieve a desired style or shape.

The Trident Maple Bonsai Tree does not need extensive techniques but can benefit from these techniques when these are done correctly. It grows fast and therefore will make first-time growers more interested to care for it day after day. If you are looking for a good starter bonsai tree then the Trident Maple Bonsai Tree should be your bonsai of choice.