Bigleaf Maple

Bigleaf Maple (Acer macrophyllum) is a large deciduous tree with the biggest leaves of any maple. It can grow as tall as 100 feet, but more commonly reaches 50-70 feet.  It grows quickly, reaching 35 feet by around 10 years.  The palmate leaves are typically 6-12 inches across, with five deeply-incised lobes. The flowers are produced in spring in loose clusters, greenish-yellow with inconspicuous petals. The fruit is a paired, winged, V-shape samara.

Bigleaf maple is a great wildlife tree.  It provides nectar for pollinators, food for the young of tiger swallowtails and mourning cloak butterflies, and shelter for cavity-nesting birds.  Mature trees are often covered with moss and ferns which are home to many invertebrates.  These miniature ecosystems far above the forest floor capture and filter rain water, and provide food and nest material for birds and small mammals.