Bigleaf Maple
Acer macrophyllum · Deciduous Broadleaf Hardwood
Plant Family
Sapindaceae
Tree Category
Shade Tree / Forest Tree
Variety / Cultivar
None (wild type)
Hardiness Zones
5-9
About This Tree
Large, fast-growing deciduous tree with a broad, rounded crown. Features massive structural branches and the largest leaves of any maple species. Frequently hosts epiphytic mosses and ferns on its limbs.
Leaf Characteristics
Simple, opposite, deeply lobed (5 lobes), 6-12 inches across (sometimes larger), dark green turning yellow-orange in fall
Bark Characteristics
Gray-brown; smooth when young, becoming deeply furrowed and Ridged with age; often covered in thick moss and licorice ferns
Growing Information
Origin Region
Pacific Coast ranging from Alaska to southern California
Growing Season
Leaves out March/April, flowers in early spring, fruits in late summer, dormant by late fall
Sunlight & Water Needs
Full sun to partial shade; prefers moist, well-drained soils; moderate drought tolerance once established
Mature Size
40-100 feet tall, 30-50 feet spread, growth rate of 2-3 feet per year, lifespan 50-300 years
Special Characteristics
Produces edible sap for syrup; high timber value for furniture and musical instruments; notable for supporting a high biomass of epiphytes
Wildlife & Ecology
Seeds and buds are primary food sources for squirrels, evening grosbeaks, and finches; provides vital nesting sites for birds; leaves support numerous insect larvae