Habitat: Grows fast in moist to dry soil and sun to partial shade. Drought tolerant when established.
Foliage: Deciduous; large deep lobed green leaves with ridges, up to 12” side and long; opposite; five-lobed; dark green above, paler below; turn yellow in fall.
Flowers: Small fragrant flowers appear March to June before leaves; greenish-yellow; 3 mm across; numerous on short stalks in hanging cylindrical clusters.
Fruits: Paired, v-shaped, winged seed pods (samara) with each seed between 1-1.5 cm, hanging in clusters; golden-brown in color
Bark: Ridged bark, gray-brown; often mottled with white and can be a host for ferns and moss; young bark smooth and green; mature trees typically covered with mosses, lichens, and ferns.
Natural Habitat: Often found in Douglas-fir forests, often on sites disturbed by fire, clearing or logging; at low to moderate elevations.
Why is it good for my garden? Big Leaf Maples can be used as an ornamental, specimen tree with leaves that turn a brilliant colors in autumn. It can grow to a tall tree to make shade for backyards and gardens. This tree provides lots of food for bees and other pollinators. Can provide food for us as well. People have taken flower clusters and fried them to make pancakes. Sap can be harvested and made into syrup. Birds use these trees for habitat and some of our largest bald eagle nests are found in big leaf maple trees.
If you are not seeing the size or quantity you would like for sale here please contact us to see if we can find the right size or amount for you.
For more information please check out the Burke Herbarium link below:
