Trumpler 16 is a well–known rich star cluster containing the eruptive supergiant \eta Carinæ and located in the Carina star-forming complex .
In the context of the Chandra Carina Complex Project , we study Trumpler 16 using new and archival X-ray data .
A revised X-ray source list of the Trumpler 16 region contains 1232 X-ray sources including 1187 likely Carina members .
These are matched to 1047 near-infrared counterparts detected by the HAWK-I instrument at the VLT allowing for better selection of cluster members .
The cluster is irregular in shape .
Although it is roughly circular , there is a high degree of sub-clustering , no noticeable central concentration and an extension to the southeast .
The high–mass stars show neither evidence of mass segregation nor evidence of strong differential extinction .
The derived power-law slope of the X-ray luminosity function for Trumpler 16 reveals a much steeper function than the Orion Nebula Cluster implying different ratio of solar- to higher-mass stars .
We estimate the total Trumpler 16 pre-main sequence population to be > 6500 Class II and Class III X-ray sources .
An overall K-excess disk frequency of \sim 8.9 % is derived using the X-ray selected sample , although there is some variation among the sub-clusters , especially in the Southeastern extension .
X-ray emission is detected from 29 high–mass stars with spectral types between B2 and O3 .