Scientific name: Acer buergerianum var. formosanum

Origin: Taiwan

Distinguishing feature: Leaves of this variant are thicker and more glossy than the trident maples usually sold in the US. Leaves can better endure summer heat without being burned readily. New leaves are red initially before turning green.

Style: Informal upright

History: This is my most exhibited bonsai; it is everyone’s favorite. Most people are surprise that I started this tree from a seed. 

It is one of the 5 saplings from seeds collected in an arboretum in 1998.

Partially trained by cutting back while in the ground to create turns and taper. Interesting root formation actually occurred under the soil surface.

Dug in 2013 to grow in a 20 gallon nursery pot.  

Moved to an oversized bonsai 2015.

Moved to the current bonsai pot in 2018, and is being pruned three times a year to refine the design.