COMMON NAME: Bigleaf Maple, Oregon Maple, Broadleaf Maple
BOTANICAL NAME: Acer macrophyllum
PRONUNCIATION: AY-sur mack-roe-FILL-um
FAMILY: Sapindaceae
ORIGIN: Native
HABITAT: The bigleaf maple tree is found in British Columbia, southwest of the Coastal Cascade Mountains. This tree likes our rich, moist woods and forests and you will often spot it near streams and rivers. On our property, bigleaf maples are everywhere, including their saplings!
IDENTIFICATION: The bigleaf maple is a medium-to-large deciduous shade tree that can reach up to 100-feet tall. It is also very wide, with very large leaves that resemble the maple leaf on our Canadian flag (it is not the same species, but you’ll recognize the shape). The beautiful yellow flowers on this tree are edible and its fruit is known as samara. You might know samara as the fun helicopters that you throw in the air and watch spin to the ground–a very entertaining thing to do as a child!
HARVESTING: You can harvest the bigleaf maple tree’s yellow flowers (they are wonderfully sweet).
For something even sweeter: after a cold snap, then the first warm day, you can tap the bigleaf maple for syrup! Just be careful and don’t make too many “holes” as they create wounds that can invite diseases and pests into the tree. You won’t get as much syrup or the same sugary taste as the sugar maple back east, but it is still delicious and very high in minerals.
Don’t forget to look for licorice ferns, which are often found on the Big Leaf Maple.
USES: The edible yellow flowers can be added to salads and of course the bigleaf maple syrup can sweeten up just about anything.
This hardwood tree also makes gorgeous furniture and beautiful musical instruments. The bigleaf maple was traditionally used to make baskets, ropes, boat paddles, dishes, pipes, clothing and many other items.
INTERESTING FACTS: You’ll often find licorice ferns on bigleaf maples.
The leaf litter is amazing, so just let it stay where it falls so it can decompose.
NUTRIENTS: Bigleaf maple syrup is high in minerals, potassium, calcium, magnesium, manganese, iron and zinc!
BC SPECIES LIST: The tree is currently listed as YELLOW on the BC species list, meaning it is not at risk of extinction.
REFERENCES:
Becky is a Clinical Hypnotherapist, Registered Holistic Nutritionist, Landscape & Production Horticulturist, Arborist and budding Herbalist, who recognizes and specializes in the link between healthy soil, the gut and the brain. She also loves being the mom to her two wild and crazy kids Brooke & Connor whom keep her and her ever loving, creative husband Jay on their toes.
Becky is a Clinical Hypnotherapist, Registered Holistic Nutritionist, Landscape & Production Horticulturist, Arborist and budding Herbalist, who recognizes and specializes in the link between healthy soil, the gut and the brain. She also loves being the mom to her two wild and crazy kids Brooke & Connor whom keep her and her ever loving, creative husband Jay on their toes.
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