Taiwan Trident Maple?

I think (could very much be wrong) but we are all speaking of the same plant when we are discussing Acer buergerianum 'Miyasama Yatsubusa' aka Acer buergerianum var. formosanum a.k.a Taiwanese Trident Maple. I have however seen distinct difference between the one I have in my backyard (yes, I am field growing), vs the ones I see throughout the Internet.

I picked up two off of eBay back in 2010-2011


One of which I managed to kill due to my ignorance

Yet saved one which is growing very nicely in my backyard. Extremely slow growing (compared to that, few other trident that I planted year or two later became a full tree almost :p). I have also had padlock propagating it. Just found out that this plant is critically endangered, so I have to try again as I haven't seen one in the market for quite sometimes.

"The Taiwan trident maple (Acer buergerianum var. formosanum) is classified as Critically Endangered (CR) on the IUCN Red List of Maples (1)."

Anyway, just wanted to add my 2 cents to this thread and also bring awareness to others who has this in their collection to propagate as much as you can (if you can). I have tried cutting method but very soon after I have success, they simply crash (maybe pilot error but I have had success with other plants :p)

Here's the one growing in my backyard (picture was taken about a year or so ago)

Hi friend :

I live in Taiwan,
Regarding your question, Here I provide a similar call it Acer rubescens Hayata Taiwan maple pictures for your reference alignments
The main distribution area in Taiwan: distributed between 1,800 to 2,800 meters in altitude.

Thank you for sharing beautiful photo of Acer rubescens Hayata for reference. I would love to see some old grown Miyasama variety I posted above. Love to see those in natural setting. Are they as rare in Taiwan as some Claims?
On a different note, this year I'm attempting Air Layering method to propagate some so I can move my field grown one two a training pot soon.

MrChoudhury wrote:Thank you for sharing beautiful photo of Acer rubescens Hayata for reference. I would love to see some old grown Miyasama variety I posted above. Love to see those in natural setting. Are they as rare in Taiwan as some Claims?
On a different note, this year I'm attempting Air Layering method to propagate some so I can move my field grown one two a training pot soon.

Hi ! I wish you have a successful plant propagation.

But about the Miyasama in Taiwan, I should tell you the actual situation .....

Miyasama is native to Taiwan, which is a Taiwan maple, since ancient times is authored as bonsai trees. Reason is called the Miyasma maple like to said. When originally called Taiwan maple had spread to Japan. Since there is also a Taiwan production of maple "sugar maple", also known as Taiwan. that can not be distinguished. So Article 500 bonsai magazine editor Mr. Miyasama put this maple named Miyasama .
Now Miyasma maple is few in Open country of Taiwan , I have rarely seen such a scenery ,If I can see,  I think it is like Acer rubescens Hayata in the natural landscape.

There are two  Miyasama pictures from Taiwan for your reference.

Ah, thank you again for sharing something very interesting, and such a significant information about this Tree (especially, I had no idea how the name came about).  I learn something every day.

I have to look up Acer rubescent Hayata to cross check the Sugar Maple I know.   The photos you shared, those leaves are slightly different than the one I have which is quite leathery and smaller (as you saw in my previous photos) leads me to believe, they are very close cousin to one another (especially looking at the Bonsai as I stare at mine recently dug up from the ground and put it on a training pot)




Oh by the way, I have since purchased a young Mino Yatsubusa which has a unique trident leaves as well.   I'm assuming this one also originated from Taiwan.

Nice to see all these varieties!