Bigleaf Maple
Acer macrophyllum
True to its name, bigleaf maple carries the largest leaves of any maple in the world — broad, five-lobed, and often draped in a thick coat of moss and licorice fern in the region's wet climate. Coast peoples dried and ground its inner bark as a soup thickener and wove fiber from it into rope and baskets.
Where found
Moist lowland forests, riparian corridors, and urban canopy throughout western Oregon and Washington.
Fun facts
- Its winged seeds (samaras) spin like helicopters on the way down.
- A single tree can host an entire hanging garden of epiphytes.
- Sap can be tapped for syrup, much like eastern sugar maple.
Specs
| Height | 15–30 m (up to 45 m) |
|---|---|
| Spread | wide, rounded crown |
| Lifespan | 200–300 yrs |
| Growth Rate | Fast |
| Sun | Full sun to part shade |
| Native Range | Southwest British Columbia to southern California |
