- Deciduous outdoor bonsai
- Beautiful fall color
- Custom grown by Brussel's Bonsai
- 5 years old; 16 inches tall
- Acer buergerianum
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Product Description
From the Manufacturer
The Trident maple is a Brussel's Bonsai favorite. Five years old, 12 to 16 inches tall, and housed in a shallow blue pot, this bonsai is actually a carefully arranged grove of 9 individual trees. It produces vibrant green foliage in spring, and bright orange leaves in autumn. Attractive foliage and fast growth make this maple one of the most popular deciduous bonsai, and ideal for beginners. Every tree order includes specific growing instructions.
Placement
Deciduous bonsai need to be kept outdoors year-round. Natural sunlight and rainwater are both important elements in an ideal growing environment. Typically, they require six or more hours of direct sunlight a day and do well in locations that get shade from late afternoon sun. Outdoor bonsai may be displayed indoors once a month, for short periods of time (2-3 days). In Japan, bonsai are traditionally displayed against a solid black, white, wood, or bamboo background, or on a stand or pot larger than the tree. Stark contrasts enhance the bonsai’s simple beauty.
Watering
Generally speaking, water when the top of the soil is dry. Use a can or hose attachment that casts a soft, rain-like spray that won’t disturb the soil in the pot. Do not allow bonsai to dry out. Water daily during hot summer months. In winter, though trees need less water, it’s a good idea to water well before a hard freeze (frozen water acts as insulation).
Repotting
Bonsai need to be repotted every 3 to 5 years. After receiving your tree, wait at least one growing season before repotting. Using proper bonsai soil is critical. Brussel’s bonsai soil consists of a mixture of high-fired clay particles and finely ground pine bark. The soil-free mix does not compact, allows water to drain easily, and helps prevent the root rot that often occurs with ordinary potting soil.
Training
All bonsai require some degree of seasonal pruning. Regular pruning produces smaller branches. A simple pair of pointed-nose scissors does the job. Wiring may also be used to hold them in a desired position or location. If you’re happy with the branch placement as is, there is no real need to wire. For detailed instruction in the art of pruning bonsai, Brussel’s Bonsai recommends purchasing a book on basic training techniques.
Delivery and Packaging: What to expect when you receive your bonsai
To ensure only well-established, healthy trees are shipped, Brussel's Bonsai imports its trees from nurseries in China where growers spend years training and shaping tree branches. Some bonsai defoliate (drop leaves) when their environment changes. If upon the tree's arrival some leaves have dropped or turned slightly brown that does not mean the bonsai is unhealthy. Defoliation is the natural result of being in the low-light environment of a shipping box. Whenever possible, Brussel’s Bonsai avoids using Styrofoam-popcorn packaging. In some cases, Styrofoam popcorn must be used to safely pack unusually shaped bonsai. Organic popcorn packaging made from corn starch reacts with moisture from the trees and can dissolve. When you receive your tree, place the box in a shaded area to unpack. Inspect tree for damage to branches or leaves. Water soil if dry. Place each bonsai in protected shade for at least one week before moving to a sunny location.
What is a Bonsai?
Literally, the Japanese word "bonsai" means "tray tree" or "plant grown in a pot." The term refers to the artistic techniques used to capture the natural beauty of trees, rather than a specific variety of tree. A full-grown tree and a bonsai can be grown from the same seed--the bonsai has simply been dwarfed and shaped through years of training. To develop authentic bonsai, Brussels grows specimens under carefully controlled conditions, meticulously training each tree with wire and pruning over a period of years. The value of a particular bonsai typically depends on size, age, and training. Generally, more expensive trees are larger, older, and have had more detailed, elaborate training. These qualities combined create the illusion of a large tree in a natural setting.
Deciduous/Outdoor Bonsai Care
Climate
Outdoor bonsai are deciduous trees that require the same climate changes in spring, summer, fall, and winter as full-sized trees of the same species. As a rule, deciduous bonsai do well in regions with humidity levels of 50% to 75% and yearly temperature ranges of 20 to 100 degree F. During winter, deciduous bonsai must remain outdoors. This period of dormancy is essential--without it, the tree may become unhealthy and susceptible to disease. Protect or "heel-in" your bonsai by covering the pot and soil with pine needles or mulch. Place the tree against a wall to shield it from extreme winds. Outdoor bonsai are more vulnerable to extreme cold than full-size trees and should be moved to a garage, shed, cold frame, or basement when temperatures fall below 20 degrees F.
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Deciduous bonsai need to be kept outdoors year-round. Natural sunlight and rainwater are both important elements in an ideal growing environment. Typically, they require six or more hours of direct sunlight a day and do well in locations that get shade from late afternoon sun. Outdoor bonsai may be displayed indoors once a month, for short periods of time (2-3 days). In Japan, bonsai are traditionally displayed against a solid black, white, wood, or bamboo background, or on a stand or pot larger than the tree. Stark contrasts enhance the bonsai’s simple beauty.
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Generally speaking, water when the top of the soil is dry. Use a can or hose attachment that casts a soft, rain-like spray that won’t disturb the soil in the pot. Do not allow bonsai to dry out. Water daily during hot summer months. In winter, though trees need less water, it’s a good idea to water well before a hard freeze (frozen water acts as insulation).
Soil and fertilizer
Bonsai trees spend years in the same soil and eventually deplete the available nutrients. Providing supplemental nutrition is essential for a healthy tree. Most water soluble and time-released fertilizers work well when used as directed.
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| Run wire through drain |  |
| Trim rootball |
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| Work soil into roots |
Bonsai need to be repotted every 3 to 5 years. After receiving your tree, wait at least one growing season before repotting. Using proper bonsai soil is critical. Brussel’s bonsai soil consists of a mixture of high-fired clay particles and finely ground pine bark. The soil-free mix does not compact, allows water to drain easily, and helps prevent the root rot that often occurs with ordinary potting soil.
It is important to pot your bonsai correctly. Prepare your container for potting by putting screen over the drain holes. Run wire through the drain screen--you will need this to secure the tree in the container. Trim the rootball so it will fit in the bonsai pot. Keep in mind, cutting larger roots is better than cutting small feeder roots. Continue trimming the root ball until it will fit into the bonsai container. Be sure to place a good layer of bonsai soil on the bottom of the bonsai container.
Place the tree in the pot. Use the wire to secure the tree in the bonsai container. Twist and pull the wire with pliers to tighten. Add bonsai soil around the root ball. Use a chopstick to work the bonsai soil into the root system. Your bonsai should now be secure in its new container.
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All bonsai require some degree of seasonal pruning. Regular pruning produces smaller branches. A simple pair of pointed-nose scissors does the job. Wiring may also be used to hold them in a desired position or location. If you’re happy with the branch placement as is, there is no real need to wire. For detailed instruction in the art of pruning bonsai, Brussel’s Bonsai recommends purchasing a book on basic training techniques.
If you choose to wire your bonsai, make sure to use heavier gauge wire for larger branches on the bottom of the tree, and lighter gauge for smaller branches. Begin by sticking the end of the wire into the soil next to the trunk of the tree. Wrap the wire around the trunk until you come to the first branch. Continue curling the wire around the branch. Once you have come to the end of a branch, cut and remove the excess wire. The wire now allows you to bend the branch into the desired shape and location.
Lifespan
Most bonsai trees can live up to 100 years or more depending, of course, on the quality of care they receive.
The Story of Brussel's Bonsai Nursery
When Brussel Martin was five years old, he was instantly captivated by several bonsai his father brought back from a California business trip. As a teenager, he began to seriously study the art of bonsai. What started as an artistic endeavor in his parents' backyard quickly grew into a business. In the 1970s, he began selling bonsai through the mail and traveling to shows across the country. By the early '80s, he was making annual buying trips to Asia.
As the business has grown, so has his desire to introduce bonsai to more and more Americans. Brussels now offers a full range of bonsai trees, from modestly priced bonsai for the beginner to unique specimens styled by bonsai experts.
Product Description
Trident Maples rank as perennial favorites! Beautiful during every season, they produce vibrant green foliage in the spring and turn a bright orange in the fall. Their quick growth and attractive leaves make them among the most popular deciduous bonsai.
Customer Reviews
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Most Helpful Customer Reviews
9 of 10 people found the following review helpful:
4.0 out of 5 stars
Not Exactly what I Expected,
By Eric (Deltona, FL) - See all my reviews
Amazon Verified Purchase(What's this?)
This review is from: Brussel's Trident Maple Forest 9 Tree (Lawn & Patio)
First off, my true gut feeling on the rating is a three. I am giving it a four because the I think the company is really good, the product was shipped fast and was packed really well. I am not super happy with the Trident Maple Forest but I am not totally disappointed either. I really didn't know what to expect since this item had not been reviewed before, I couldn't find too many photos, and I have never ordered anything that is alive on the internet.
My main disappointment is probably due to my own ignorance with bonsais. I have had a few various bonsais before and have sadly killed them all. I had seen the Trident Forest in a brochure before and really wanted it awhile ago. The idea of a "mini forest" sounded really neat. I also love maple trees so it really seemed perfect. When I received my bonsai today I was a little disappointed when I saw the trees. Basically they look like someone cut tree limbs off a maple tree and put them into a pot. Now, that may be how bonsai trees are made and I just don't know. I thought that maybe these were mini trees that were grown from a seed and pruned and trained to be small. But, as I said, I don't know much about bonsais. I am also disappointed in that I read when making a forest one should really try not to put the trees in any order or try to make them symmetrical. My forest is almost arranged in a perfect oval shape. Also, the largest "tree" is very loose and feels like it may pop out of the soil any moment. So, some of my trees look like a stick off a tree with maybe 10 small leaves on them and the top of the "tree" pruned diagonally. Now, am I planning on returning the product? No, probably not unless it starts looking sick in the next two weeks or one of the trees falls out of the pot. I think it is a cute bonsai and am hoping I can take really good care of it and get it to grow some more leaves and fill out. To be honest, if I had seen this in a store for 100 dollars I would not have ever considered buying it. So I am giving it a four because it was shipped fast and packed really well. It only lost about 10 leaves which I think is pretty good. Some of the leaves are wilted but I am assuming it is because of them being in the dark box for a few days. I also don't want to rate the tree too low because I really didn't know what to expect so I want to be fair to the product and company. I also love the leaves that is does have. I took photos of it packed, me unpacking it, and the tree by itself. I am hoping to post these photos on amazon. I hope this helps you decide if you want one. Like I said, it is small and cute but definitely not like the photo posted on amazon. It is not thick with leaves or stems but this may be due to the season. Oh, and my tallest tree is 13 inches from the soil to the top of the stick.
1.0 out of 5 stars
Very disappointed.,
Amazon Verified Purchase(What's this?)
This review is from: Brussel's Trident Maple Forest 9 Tree (Lawn & Patio)
I received this product without any information on who to contact if anything was wrong. The pot was completely cracked & it appears as if 2 of the trees are close to dying. The plant is currently dormant for the winter, so who knows what will happen in the spring, however I know the pot won't be fixed! I'm disappointed with the lack of customer service & the product for the price I paid.
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