Bigleaf Maple (Acer macrophyllum)

The Arboretum's Shade Tree Collection has a variety of interesting maples from around the US and other countries. A specimen of Bigleaf Maple from the Pacific Northwest was planted here in 1965. This species ranges along coastal regions from Vancouver Island and coastal British Columbia south to California. As the name implies, Bigleaf Maple is characterized by large (5-12 in. wide), deeply divided leaves that exude a sticky, milky juice when broken. The bark is grayish-brown becoming shallowly grooved with age. In its native habitat, this tree grows to heights of 100 ft and often supports a thick mat of epiphytic mosses, lichens, and ferns. The wood is used for making furniture, musical instruments, plywood, veneer, pallets, and firewood. The sweet sap can be used to make maple syrup.

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