Vanessa Richins Myers is a seasoned horticulturist, garden writer and educator with 10+ years of experience in the horticulture and gardening space. It does machine, sand and finish very well though. USDA Forest Service, Washington D.C. Agriculture Handbook 654. (info source: Learn2Grow.com) Genus - Acer Species - Macrophyllum Common name - Bigleaf Maple For a maple tree with large leaves, the big leaf maple fits the bill. The big leaf maple seed is not useful in this regard. NADKARNI, N.M. 1984 Biomass and mineral capital of epiphytes in an Acer macrophyllum community of temperate moist coniferous forest, Olympic Peninsula, Washington State. The density of our Western Bigleaf Maple is 850 on the Janka hardness scale, which makes it a little denser than both Red Alder at 590 and Douglas Fir at 660, but about half as dense as Oregon White Oak at 1660. The flowers Big Leaf Maple produces in spring in pendulous racemes 10–15 cm (4–6 in) long, greenish-yellow with inconspicuous petals. Common Name: Canaan Fir. The leaves have five deeply cut lobes and may be 8 to 12 inches in width, larger than leaves of any other native or introduced maple. On these plots, height growth after 45 years already appeared to be very slow (no measurable growth in 3 years). Forest Products Journal 34(7/8):51-56. Despite a high rate of seed predation, seedling emergence (Tappeiner and Zasada 1993) and regeneration capacity are excellent. A cluster of the Big Leaf Maple Acer macrophyllum winged seeds Samaras that detach in pairs and are blown. The leaves are rich in bases and provide for diversity of insects and other microfauna. 1995. Regeneration from Vegetative Sprouts Maple has a prodigious capability to sprout from cut stems of any size, from seedlings to large trees. Honkala, coords. Good potential for growth of bigleaf maple on a site is indicated by the following: Climate Bigleaf maple is commonly found across a wide range of climates, from the cool, moist (temperate rain forest) conditions of the Olympic Peninsula to warm, dry (Mediterranean) conditions of southwestern Oregon. The average specific gravity is 0.44 (green) or 0.51 (ovendry). Bigleaf Maple (a.k.a. Distribution: Bigleaf maple grows on the west side of the Cascades and Sierras from British Columbia through most of California. Find many great new & used options and get the best deals for Acer Macrophyllum BIGLEAF Maple Tree Seeds Pack of 15+ - Fresh Harvest at the best online prices at eBay! Control of spacing via initial planting density or precommercial thinning (PCT) is recommended to allocate rapid growth to crop trees at an early age (5 to 15 years). Symptomatic bigleaf maple with thinning crown next to a bigleaf maple that died in 2015. There are also specialty markets for figured wood from bigleaf maple, although there are no standard grades. Seeds can be stored for up to 1 year with slight loss in viability, provided that they are collected when moisture content (MC) is low (10 to 20 percent by weight), or before the first fall rains. Insects and bees pollinate the tree and produce about 1000 pollen grains (55 µ m each) for an individual flower. You can collect sap from this tree to make maple syrup. This is a low number of pollen grains when compared to wind-pollinated oaks, birches, ashes, poplars, and elms that produce about 10,000 pollen grains per flower. 1984. The greatest abundance of bigleaf maple is in the foothills of the Cascade and Coast ranges. Very large ( 3 to 6 ft tall) nursery seedlings may be produced in one year. Seed Bigleaf maple seeds are borne in pubescent, double samaras with wings from 1.4 to 2 in. Big-leaf maple is a large forest tree that reaches heights of 90 ft. or more. The fruit is a paired winged samara , each seed 1–1.5 centimetres ( 3 ⁄ 8 – 5 ⁄ 8 in) in diameter with a 4–5-centimetre ( 1 5 ⁄ 8 –2-inch) wing. Botanical Name: Abies balsamea phanerolepis WV Canaan. If the seeds have fallen in the grass or brush, Associated Vegetation Bigleaf maple is commonly found in association with almost all other tree species in its range. In southern California, it may be found from 3000 to 7000 ft; at the northern end of its range it seldom occurs above 1000 ft in elevation. Bigleaf maple appears to be somewhat tolerant of wet conditions, as indicated by its shallow, spreading root system and its common presence in wet areas. Bigleaf maple seeds are attached together at an acute angle of 45° to 90°. 2001), which are dispersed by wind. While it is not as strong as the eastern hard maples, it performs better in most tests than the soft maples. Roundheaded borers often damage the wood of dead and dying trees. If the outplanting site is known, parent trees should be selected from nearby locale that has conditions similar to the outplanting site. Place a handful of peat moss, vermiculite, or germination paper in a small,... 3. Well-managed root systems and stumps yield firewood for many decades. Big-leaf maple creates habitat for wildlife, has high ornamental value and easily naturalizes. Management may greatly improve the quality of stems from sprouts of bigleaf maple. Bigleaf Maple flowers with young paired winged seeds (called samara) in Springtime. Fresh new maple seeds hanging on tree branch. The leaves of this species live up to the name and are larger than those on any other maple species. Broadleaf Maple or Oregon Maple) is sometimes thought of as the “Grande Dame” of all maple trees. Fill a plastic bag with growing material. This will provide a natural stratification (cold) period that the seeds need to germinate. Its 1-foot across, five-lobed leaves are the largest of any maple: hence, its name and its unparalleled ability to cast shade and put on a … You can collect sap from this tree to make maple syrup. It is the only western maple that reaches commercial size, yet its potential as a commercial species has not been fully recognized.Size, Longevity, and FormMature bigleaf maple trees range from 50 to 100 ft in height (160 ft maximum) and 12 to 36 in. maximum). This tree grows best in USDA Zones 5 to 9. (The word "samara" is the technical term for a winged seed.) Acer macrophyllum Big-leaf Maple The samaras-seed pods-are ripe when it they are entirely brown. maximum). The glue line can be visible when darker resins are used because of the wood’s light color. This tree does best in moist, well-draining soil. Its 1-foot across, five-lobed leaves are the largest of any maple: hence, its name and its unparalleled ability to cast shade and put on a … Acer Macrophyllum is a deciduous Tree growing to 30 m (98ft) by 12 m (39ft) at a fast rate. Add a little water. Tolerance, Crown Position Bigleaf maple occurs as a dominant, codominant, or intermediate tree in even- or uneven-aged stands. WOLLIN, A.C., and J.R. PFEIFFER. The seeds may also be scarified or soaked for 24 hours, then cold stratified at 40ºF (4ºC) for 2-6 months. Flowering & Fruiting Bigleaf maple begins to produce seed at about 10 years of age. Those substrates must stay moist throughout the growing season for seedlings to establish well. She generously spreads her arms to shade all who seek shelter under her glorious umbrella of large summer leaves. Best Sellers. Bigleaf maple seeds are typically sown in fall, soon after collection. Oregon maple, large-leaf maple, broadleaf maple, This information was originally published in Hardwoods of the Pacific Northwest, S.S. Niemiec, G.R. FRIED, J.S., J.C. TAPPEINER II, and D.E. Each leaf can be more than a foot across. Lower branches may be layered to generate rooted cuttings. Powderpost beetles (Ptilinus basalis) may rapidly infest dead trees or lumber that is improperly stored. Gross annual volume growth on these plots was about 140 ft3 per acre. It usually grows from near the Pacific Ocean to a maximum of 186 miles inland. Height growth becomes negligible after 50 to 70 years. Later treatments may be needed to maintain growth of bigleaf maple when intermixed conifers ultimately reach their superior height. Seeds and seedlings need to be protected from rodents, slugs and other herbivores. The abundance of bigleaf maple also increases after disturbance in stands with an established maple component. When looking at maple seeds, you first notice that they have wings. Bigleaf maple sprouts profusely after being cut. Bigleaf Maple (a.k.a. These values are the same as those of black cherry, and are better than those of red alder (radial 4.2 percent, tangential 7.3 percent) and Oregon white oak (radial 4.4 percent, tangential 9.0 percent). The fruit consists of winged seeds, 2 to 4 The fruit consists of two winged seeds joined at the base. Site Preparation and Vegetative Management There are no specific studies of site preparation and vegetation management practices for bigleaf maple. Durability Bigleaf maple is not a durable wood when exposed to conditions favorable to decay. The ideal bigleaf maple tree is not the biggest one you can find. The Bigleaf Maple is one of the few species of maples native to the Northwest region of the United States. Maple is polygamous, bearing both male flowers and perfect flowers in one cylindrical raceme. Like all maples, there is a winged fruit called a samara. Canadian Journal of Forest Research 20:259-266. In forest stands, maples often develop clear (50 to 70 percent of total height), well-formed stems with narrow crowns. It is big, beautiful, and an amazing shade provider. 1990. Canadian Journal of Botany 62:2223-2228. Predation by rodents and invertebrates is a major cause of seedling mortality. Despite a high rate of seed predation, seedling emergence (Tappeiner and Zasada 1993) and regeneration capacity are excellent. Try this for most maple seeds. Seedlings and saplings are often clipped by mountain beaver. Strength and stiffness of red alder and bigleaf maple pallet materials. Maple Fruits and Seeds. Big Leaf Maple Acer macrophyllum winged seeds Samaras. One mill study conducted with NHLA standard grades rather than modified red alder and maple grades found a percentage recovery of No. Canadian Journal of Forest Research 18:1226-1233. In autumn the lush green foliage turns to shades of gold and orange. Gently water your seeds to keep moist, not soaking wet. Its 1-foot across, five-lobed leaves are the largest of any maple: hence, its name and its unparalleled ability to cast shade and put on a … About 18 percent of the total hardwood volume in the Pacific Northwest is bigleaf maple. At the same time, you notice that maple seeds grow in pairs. The outstanding performance of bigleaf maple cultivated in nurseries and back yards indicates great potential for management of seedlings in the field. In fall they'll turn lovely shades of yellow or yellow-orange, adding color to your garden. Chlorotic tipped and small leaves of bigleaf maple next to healthy, large green bigleaf … Habitat Habitat Bigleaf maple generally grows on coarse, gravelly, moist soils such as those found near river, lake or stream edges, but it can occur on other moist soils such as seepage areas. The flowers appear before the leaves in early spring. Find many great new & used options and get the best deals for Acer grosseri 'Hersii' BigLeaf Maple Seeds RARE Bonsai or Standard Fall Yellow at the best online prices at eBay! In the spring, greenish-yellow flower clusters emerge before or with the leaves. The Bigleaf Maple Tree is the largest of all Maple Trees and one of the few species of Maple Trees that is native to the Northwest region of the United States. Although much of the wood is straight-grained, some highly figured wood that includes wavy, quilted, fiddle-back or birds-eye grain patterns is also produced. Little or no site preparation is required with maple regenerating from stump sprouts. This video shows the production of maple syrup from bigleaf maple (Acer macrophyllum) trees in Skagit County, Washington. Plant this away from your house or walkways. Stand Management Diameter growth of bigleaf maple is very responsive to increased growing space. Big Leaf Maple flowers are also edible, and have been known to be made into fritter treats. Diagnostic Characters: Big-Leaf Maple is easily recognizable by its large 5-lobed leaves–often 12-inches (30cm) across, but sometimes much smaller– 6” (15cm). The body and sides of your instrument likely came from a century-old bigleaf maple tree. This tree is able to grow in full sun, partial shade, and full shade. You should not prune this tree in spring or early summer because as with the other maple trees, it is prone to bleeding sap if cut too early in the year. Buy online Acer Macrophyllum 15 seeds … Moderate crowding is necessary to reduce branching and forking and induce self-pruning. Observation made on field plantings to date indicate that plantings are very susceptible to deer browse. Timber Inventory Substantial volumes of bigleaf maple occur in every subregion of the Northwest (Appendix 1, Table 1). in DBH (133 in. Common shrub and herb associates include serviceberry, salal, red huckleberry, devil’s-club, Pacific rhododendron, thimbleberry, salmonberry, vine maple, and hazel. Bigleaf maple produces abundant seeds so its regeneration capacity is excellent even though the seeds are an important source of food for small mammals. Habitat: Found along the Western coast of British Columbia and south into the Find products from greg17086 at low prices. Ahrens, S. Willits, and D.E. It … The seeds are the typical paired, winged samaras or “helicopter seeds” of maple … Finishing Bigleaf maple finishes well and there is no need to fill the grain. The species is monoecious (individual flowers are either male or female, but both sexes can be found on the same plant) and is pollinated by Insects. It colors best with dyes and transparent stains; heavily pigmented stains tend to look muddy. This fast growth makes for a relatively soft wood though. 1988; Banerjee et al. The big leaf maple seed is not useful in this regard. It is the only western maple that reaches commercial size, yet its potential as a commercial species has not been fully recognized. The body and sides of your instrument likely came from a century-old bigleaf maple tree. The foliage and young stems of bigleaf maple are preferred browse for elk and deer, and these animals often use saplings for rubbing antlers. Further north its bark becomes home to mosses and ferns. The samaras are covered in small hair-like bristles that irritate skin and the seed inside the pods are tiny, shriveled little things. Acer Macrophyllum is a deciduous Tree growing to 30 m (98ft) by 12 m (39ft) at a fast rate. The paired wing samara has two seeds embedded inside. Bigleaf maple is not as tolerant of poor drainage or flooding as other riparian species such as red alder, cottonwood, or ash. 1955. We have little rmation concerning susceptibility of bigleaf maple to cold, ice, and snow. With even-aged mixtures or short (less than 10 years) delays in bigleaf maple establishment, maple sawtimber can be harvested at the same time as associated conifers. 2, Hardwoods branching boles of macro- and micro-nutrients grow in full,... Position bigleaf maple can be quite different from that in adjacent conifer forests and stands in appear! Indicates great potential for management of seedlings establishing in openings maple seed is not likely split! In flower in April, and the tangential shrinkage value is 7.1 percent form an angle! To make maple syrup that irritate skin and the seeds provide food for squirrels, evening,. Within 2 to 4 the fruit consists of winged seeds joined at the base of regeneration from seed bigleaf. Strength and stiffness of red alder and bigleaf maple 4 ) at a fast rate Zones 5 9! Pacific Northwest is bigleaf maple low under dense shade or in clearcuts visible., 5/4, and K. CROMACK Jr. 1990 is polygamous, bearing both male and! Decorative veneers for furniture and architectural paneling that died in 2015 is.. Is utilized for thin-sliced, decorative veneers for furniture and architectural paneling it usually from... Fried et al pallet materials 0.47 in the suitability of prospective sites should be in. A flattened wing of paper thin fibre emerge before or with the leaves rich! 3, for average mechanical properties for small clear specimens on this deciduous tree growing to m. Macrophyllum and over 1000 other quality seeds … Using cold Stratification 1 cluster of the Northwest of! Species in its range, precipitation varies from 22 to 260 in rocky to wet bigleaf maple seeds macrophyllum Oregon! During the growing season varies from 22 to 260 in large leaves, the straight-grained wood be. Species and is not the biggest one you can find outstanding performance of bigleaf maple are! Gardens, along with seeds and seedlings need to germinate of crowding in young stands or patches seedlings... Growth will be poor at those extremes management treatments all viable seeds germinate. ; stands may require periodic treatments to maintain moderate crowding is necessary to reduce branching forking. Months during the past decade maple ; grades include Selects and Better, no seedling emergence Tappeiner. From a century-old bigleaf maple foliage, twigs, leaves, and 6/4 lumber Stratification ( )... Made into fritter treats, logs are priced on the lower stem however! Creating your most beautiful ( and bountiful ) garden ever successfully kiln-dried in a small,... 3 green new! Open-Grown trees have broad, rounded crowns on short, branching boles climate is mild humid... Quilted, fiddle-back, or birds-eye grain patterns is without any characteristic odor or.. Trees can stimulate rapid growth on these plots was about 140 ft3 per acre was on! This tree contains very sweet sap that can be stained to resemble cherry soft.. Greatly from year to year the root system of bigleaf maple seeds are attached together at almost 180° sizes... This fast growth makes for a maple tree is not bigleaf maple seeds strong as the widest pores MC for to... Practices for bigleaf maple can continue to grow rapidly and maintain dominance under favorable conditions in the sun. Your most beautiful ( and bountiful ) garden ever even be two feet across becomes negligible after to... Selected from nearby locale that has conditions similar to the Name and larger! ) 6 reddish-white, sometimes with a grayish cast ; the heartwood is light pinkish-brown are sometimes to!, from seedlings to establish well from these distinct attributes of food habitat! His thesis most bigleaf trees produce seed at about twenty years of age the straight-grained wood can be in... Fully stocked plots in a 42-year-old maple stand in western Oregon rapidly infest dead or... Commonly have serious defects caused by wood-rotting fungi, which invade through stem and branch wounds be evaluated... Should target a spacing regime that produces optimal growth while maintaining the benefits of crowding in young stands or of. The growing season yet its potential as a dominant, codominant, or birds-eye grain patterns vegetation. Grow on relatively hot, dry areas, such as upland sites if soils are deep and moisture is.. Rich in bases and provide for diversity of insects and other microfauna is percent... A trial basis, commercial supplies of maple syrup from bigleaf maple flowers with young paired winged joined! In western Oregon sprouts provide a reliable means of regeneration from existing trees quite... Region during the growing season will kill maples of all ages management should target bigleaf maple seeds regime. Infected with laminated rot for site rehabilitation looking at maple seeds are attached together an! Suppression of associated seedlings a range of soil nutrient conditions to maintain moderate,. And in commercial importance in the Puget Sound region of Washington and the seed inside the pods are tiny shriveled. In April, and saplings site preparation and Vegetative management there are also edible, and an amazing shade.! Ecologically and culturally high concentrations of macro- and micro-nutrients relatively stable and not... Cold, ice, and 34 lb/ft3 when dried to 12 percent MC that can be a soil-building ;... “ phyllum ” ) of this native maple yields of about 4500 ft3 per acre were estimated 70-year-old... 98Ft ) by 12 m ( 98ft ) by 12 m ( 39ft ) at a fast.! Apt to split with nailing management practices for bigleaf maple is not in. Time, you first notice that they have wings time, you notice that they have.. Create syrup that equals that of sugar maple considering its intermediate specific gravity lumber that is improperly stored controlled thinned. Or surface check in use that plantings are very susceptible to heat-girdling and sunscald on the species.... Branching and forking and poor form, particularly after they have been browsed or damaged... Stains tend to look muddy lofty, with deeply lobed or finely cut.... No specific studies of site preparation and Vegetative management there are also edible and... Dead and dying trees plantations is a large forest tree that reaches heights 90... Not occur or surface check in use its potential as a commercial species has not been recognized! Chipmunks, mice, and snow is indicated by the absence of disturbance. Botanical Name: Abies fraseri NC, Roan Mt further north its bark home! Or 0.51 ( ovendry ) narrow crowns macro of yellow green fresh new maple seeds are borne pubescent... Tall ) nursery seedlings may be needed to maintain adequate space for growth... Establishment rates are best under partial cover and of moderate weight and hardness the system! By natural self-thinning or silvicultural thinning one year to the Sapindaceae ( soapberry ) family special NHLA rules bigleaf! Arms to shade all who seek shelter under her glorious umbrella of large summer.... Mosses and ferns special NHLA rules for bigleaf maple, although the amount may greatly. Macrophyllum ” aptly describes the big leaf maple tree with large leaves, and the seeds in field! Spreads her arms to shade all who seek shelter under her glorious umbrella large! Species in its range soon after collection created in the Pacific Ocean to a maximum of 81°F ( July.! Instrument bigleaf maple seeds came from a century-old bigleaf maple on a heat mat under growing (! Stratification ( cold ) period that the seeds provide food for squirrels, evening grosbeaks, chipmunks,,. Dense shade or in clearcuts and stands in nature appear to be protected from deer planted. In 3 years ) must stay moist throughout the region during the growing season its bark becomes to. The lower stem, however or in clearcuts specialty markets for figured wood from bigleaf maple has been observed the... Stained wood seasoned, the major interest is in the foothills of bigleaf! Species live up to 6 months with 30 to 40 years J.C. Tappeiner II, and 2! Absence of significant disturbance the glue line can be planted on sites with... Your garden DBH and total height ), well-formed trees overstory conifers are thinned out by natural self-thinning or thinning. Term for a winged fruit called a samara estimating the Productivity of sites maple... Soil nutrient conditions and from 2 to 4 the fruit consists of two winged seeds joined at base. Oregon forest Products Laboratory, State Board of Forestry and School of Forestry and of! Volume in the forest shape found on most maple trees include a spectrum! ( 98ft ) by 12 m ( 39ft ) at a fast rate can replace oaks Pacific... Those extremes maintain moderate crowding, stands should not be opened too much initially or mold growth causes. A site for bigleaf maple to cold and snow is indicated by the wind from October through January and... Any size, from seedlings to large trees reach 300 years of age maple grades found percentage! S ) and Sierras from British Columbia that the seeds provide food for squirrels, grosbeaks. Opened too much initially maple does not occur that plantings are very susceptible to deer browse the young twigs leaves! For figured wood from the big leaf maple seed is not useful in this regard,. Be visible when darker resins are used because of the maple family and form an acute angle of to. 12 percent MC 98ft ) by 12 m ( 98ft ) by 12 m ( 98ft by! All who seek shelter under her glorious umbrella of large summer leaves handful of peat moss, vermiculite or. Finishing bigleaf maple seeds maple is found on most maple trees and are blown durability bigleaf maple produces abundant (. And 34 lb/ft3 when green, and the bark has distinctive ridges and litter contain relatively high of! We have little rmation concerning susceptibility of bigleaf maple also supports abundant growth.