{"slug":"acer-macrophyllum","scientific_name":"Acer macrophyllum","common_names":["Bigleaf maple","Oregon maple"],"family":"Sapindaceae","type":"broadleaf_deciduous","mature_height_m":20,"mature_spread_m":15,"growth_rate":"fast","lifespan_years":175,"hardiness_zones":[6,7],"sun":"full_partial","water":"medium","soil":"Moist, slightly acidic, well-drained soil; tolerates moist to somewhat dry conditions","native_range":"Pacific coast of North America from southernmost Alaska through British Columbia, Washington and Oregon to southern California, with inland stands in the Sierra Nevada foothills and Idaho.","description":"The largest maple in North America, with the biggest leaves of any maple (up to a foot across) that emerge burgundy, mature glossy green and turn yellow-orange in fall. Hanging chains of yellow-green flowers in spring become winged seeds. In wet coastal forests its limbs are draped in moss and licorice fern. It is a grand shade tree for large lots and parks but its shallow roots crack sidewalks and its leaf fall is heavy.","care":"Plant in sun or part shade in moist, well-drained soil and water through dry summers for the first few years. Prune in summer or when fully dormant, not in spring when sap flows. It has few serious pests; older trees develop heart rot, and verticillium wilt and aphids occur. Give it room away from pavement.","benefits":["shade","fast_canopy","fall_color","wildlife","birds","pollinators","edible"],"uses":["yard_shade","parks","riparian","timber","reforestation"],"cautions":["surface_roots","heavy_litter","large_roots"],"image_url":"https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/6/65/Acer_macrophyllum_1199.jpg","image_credit":"Angilbas at English Wikipedia, Public domain, via Wikimedia Commons","sources":["https://plants.ces.ncsu.edu/plants/acer-macrophyllum/","https://plants.usda.gov/plant-profile/ACMA3","https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Acer_macrophyllum"],"data_note":null,"updated_at":"2026-11-08T01:00:46.205Z","page_url":"https://treerm.org/trees/acer-macrophyllum","markdown_url":"https://treerm.org/trees/acer-macrophyllum.md","regions":[{"country":"CA","region":"BC","locality":null,"status":"native","note":"Southwestern British Columbia.","source_url":"https://plants.usda.gov/plant-profile/ACMA3"},{"country":"US","region":"AK","locality":null,"status":"native","note":"Southernmost coastal Alaska.","source_url":"https://plants.usda.gov/plant-profile/ACMA3"},{"country":"US","region":"CA","locality":null,"status":"native","note":"Coast and Sierra Nevada foothills.","source_url":"https://plants.usda.gov/plant-profile/ACMA3"},{"country":"US","region":"ID","locality":null,"status":"native","note":"Small disjunct population.","source_url":"https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Acer_macrophyllum"},{"country":"US","region":"OR","locality":null,"status":"native","note":null,"source_url":"https://plants.usda.gov/plant-profile/ACMA3"},{"country":"US","region":"WA","locality":null,"status":"native","note":null,"source_url":"https://plants.usda.gov/plant-profile/ACMA3"},{"country":"US","region":"CA","locality":"San Jose","status":"recommended","note":"On the Our City Forest Community Nursery tree species list","source_url":"https://www.ourcityforest.org/nursery-species"}],"license":"CC-BY-4.0"}