Latin name: Acer macrophyllum
by Vancouver Island Master Gardeners Association
The bigleaf maple is a large, deciduous tree native to the Pacific Northwest. It is a prominent species in the forests of this region known for its exceptionally large, five-lobed leaves. The leaves are the biggest of the maples. It is fast growing and long lived (50-200 years). Numerous, small greenish-yellow flowers hang in cylindrical clusters (racemes) in April/May appearing before the leaves have fully unfurled. The pair of winged seeds (samaras) is another distinguishing feature. The bark is grayish-brown and shallowly grooved, particularly in older trees. While this tree can be pruned, it prodigiously produces sprouts. It is very susceptible to browsing by deer and elk, but is generally free of serious disease or decay until older or damaged when wood-rooting pathogens are more prevalent. The bigleaf maple is an excellent shade tree for parks and large landscapes.
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Attribute |
Description |
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Form: |
Upright habit, multi-stemmed with a broad, rounded crown in open areas and a narrower crown in forests. |
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Foliage: |
Single, palmate with 5 deep lobes. |
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Height/Width: |
Up to 30 m in height and 20 m spread. |
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Hardiness Zone: |
Zone 6. |
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Exposure: |
Full to partial sun. |
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Flower colour: |
Yellowish green. |
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Leaf colour: |
Dark green on top and paler underneath turning yellow in the fall, never red. |
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Flower time: |
Early spring |
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Preferred soil and Watering: |
Grows in a variety of soil types, and does best in deep, well-drained soil with high nutrients and good moisture |
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Other: |
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