bigleaf maple
ExplorePlants
bigleaf maple
Acer macrophyllum
The bigleaf maple is a tall tree with huge leaves that can be as big as your head! It grows in forests and is known for its beautiful yellow and orange colors in the fall.
Habitat: Forests
Appearance
The bigleaf maple is a towering tree known for its enormous leaves, which can be over a foot wide and have five deeply cut lobes. In autumn, these vibrant leaves burst into brilliant shades of yellow and orange, creating a stunning display. Its bark is deeply furrowed, providing a textured appearance.
KingdomPlantaePhylumTracheophytaClassMagnoliopsidaOrderSapindalesFamilySapindaceaeGenusAcer
Category
PlantsRarity
Common
Danger
1/5 · Very low
Snaps
Be the first to snap!
Interesting facts
It boasts the world's largest maple leaves, some even bigger than your head!
Its rough bark hosts mini-gardens of mosses and ferns right on its branches!
Its sweet sap can be tapped for delicious maple syrup, just like other maples!
These giants grow taller than a 15-story building, reaching high for the sky!
Special abilities
Ability
Giant Leaf Solar Panels
Bigleaf maple has huge leaves that act like super-efficient solar panels, helping it capture lots of sunlight to grow big and strong.
Ability
Epiphyte Haven
This maple's rough bark and moist habitat let mosses and ferns grow on its branches, creating mini-ecosystems high in the tree.
Ability
Sweet Sap Source
The bigleaf maple produces sweet sap that can be harvested and boiled down to create delicious maple syrup.
Measurements & details
- Height
- 1500-3000 cm
- Spread
- 1000-1800 cm
- Flower Size
- 0.5-1 cm
- Bloom Season
- Spring
- Edible
- Yes
- Toxicity
- None
- Lifecycle
- Perennial
- Pollination Method
- Wind
Ecological connections
eats
Western Gray Squirrel
Sciurus griseus
eats the nutritious seeds
eats
Mule Deer
Odocoileus hemionus
browses on young leaves and twigs
shelters
Pileated Woodpecker
Dryocopus pileatus
nests in large tree cavities
depends on
Artist's Conk
Ganoderma applanatum
grows as a decomposer on logs
Traits
Deciduous
Deciduous plants periodically shed all their leaves, typically during autumn or dry seasons.
Broadleaf Tree
Broadleaf trees are angiosperms characterized by flat, wide leaves that are typically shed annually in temperate climates.
Colorful
Colorful describes organisms or objects displaying a wide range of bright and distinct colors.
Fall Color
Fall color refers to the seasonal change in foliage pigmentation, primarily in deciduous plants, displaying vibrant hues.
Timber
Timber refers to wood that has been prepared for use in building and carpentry.
Forest
Forest habitats are terrestrial environments dominated by dense tree cover, supporting a high diversity of plant and animal life.
Also known as
Western Maple
Collections
Safety
Danger
1/5 · Very low
Stay on paths when exploring forests and watch for falling branches.
Frequently Asked Questions
How tall is bigleaf maple?
1500-3000 cm
How wide does bigleaf maple spread?
1000-1800 cm
How big are the flowers on bigleaf maple?
0.5-1 cm
When does bigleaf maple bloom?
Spring
Is bigleaf maple edible?
Yes
Is bigleaf maple toxic?
None
What is bigleaf maple's lifecycle?
Perennial
How is bigleaf maple pollinated?
Wind
Snap Map
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Recent Snaps
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Where to spot
Park16 sightings13 species
Washington, US
Discovery Park
You might spot Bigleaf Maple, Common Snowberry, and Osoberry.
View guide →
Park23 sightings12 species
Oregon, US
Bush's Pasture Park
You might spot Oregon Oak and Douglas's Ground Squirrel.
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Park122 sightings12 species
Washington, US
Matthews Beach Park
You might spot Duck, American Wigeon, and Ring-Billed Gull.
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Park39 sightings11 species
Washington, US
Queen Anne Boulevard
You might spot Snowy Owl, Bee, and American Crow.
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Park31 sightings9 species
British Columbia, CA
Ruckle Provincial Park
You might spot Broad-Leaved Stonecrop, Salal, and Pacific Sanicle.
View guide →
Park24 sightings8 species
British Columbia, CA
Bamberton Provincial Park
You might spot Bigleaf Maple, Western Sword Fern, and Vanilla Leaf.
View guide →
