Description
Bundle of 10
At a Glance: Big Leaf Maple is a large, often multi-stemmed deciduous tree that frequently grows in areas disturbed by fire, clearing or logging. Their young bark is green and smooth, and older bark is grey-brown, ridged and often covered with mosses, lichens and ferns. In fact, Bigleaf maple carries a greater load of mosses and other plants than any other tree species in our region. Sometimes the moss layers get so thick they form a ‘soil’ into which tree roots can sprout and grow, called ‘canopy roots’.
Leaves: Leaves are opposite, deciduous, with 5 lobes. They are dark green above, paler below, turning yellow in the autumn. As their name indicates, leaves are large and can measure 6-12” wide.
Flowers: Flowers are numerous on short stalks that hang in clusters. The greenish-yellow clusters appear with or before the leaves.
Growing Conditions:
| Sun/Shade Tolerance | Hydrology | Elevation Range |
| Full sun 80%-100%
Most sun 60%-80% Part sun/shade 40%-60% Shade 20%-40% |
Dry
Moist
|
Low elevations
Mid elevations
|
References:
MacKinnon, A., Pojar, J., & Alaback, P. B. (1994). Plants of the Pacific Northwest coast: Washington, Oregon, British Columbia & Alaska. Richmond, Wash: Lone Pine Publishing.
