Acer Buergerianum 'Wako Nishiki'

Wako Nishiki Trident Maple

Acer buergerianum ‘Wako Nishiki’ is a rare, ornamental variegated trident maple prized for its cream-to-white leaf margins and refined, upright habit. The distinctive three-lobed leaves emerge green with irregular creamy variegation, creating a light, elegant appearance through the growing season. In fall, foliage often turns soft shades of yellow, apricot, and orange, sometimes with pink highlights.

The tree develops a compact, upright to rounded form with good branch structure and is slower growing than the species, making it well suited to smaller landscapes. Like other trident maples, it may develop attractive exfoliating bark with age, adding winter interest.

‘Wako Nishiki’ performs best in full sun to partial shade (light shade helps protect variegation) and prefers moist, well-drained soil. It shows good heat tolerance once established and is hardy in USDA Zones 5–8.

Mature size:



Height: 15–20 ft



Width: 12–18 ft



Ideal for specimen planting, Asian-inspired gardens, courtyards, and collector landscapes, Acer buergerianum ‘Wako Nishiki’ is valued for its unique variegated foliage, manageable size, and four-season interest.

Plant type

Deciduous Tree

Height

40-50'

Width

20-30'

Hardiness zones

5–8

Sunlight

Full Sun

Growth rate

Slow

Bloom time

Spring, Summer

Flower color

Sunglow

Leaf color

Dark Green

Fall color

Burgandy

Soil

Loamy, Well Drained

Landscape use

Accent Plant, Privacy Screen

Shape

Globe Shaped

Bark

Exfoliating

Salt tolerant

Yes

Drought tolerant

Yes

10-year height

20'

10-year width

15'