Bigleaf Maple Habitat and Growing Conditions
For small yards, bigleaf maple trees (Acer macrophyllum) are not a good choice. These deciduous trees have a similar spread and can reach heights of over 100 feet (30 meters). However, as long as they have the right bigleaf maple habitat, anyone with a sizable property might think about giving it a try.
Bigleaf maple trees grow where? Before adding one of these trees to your garden, it’s a good idea to ask yourself this question. Continue reading for details on the habitat of bigleaf maples and interesting trivia about the trees.
Bigleaf maples grow where?
Bigleaf maple trees are indigenous to the Olympic Peninsula and the Pacific Northwest, where they are most commonly found in this climate. The best places for these spreading maples to grow are USDA zones 5 through 9, which have cool to moderate winters. Although they can grow in warmer, drier climates, they are most common in cool, moist environments.
Bigleaf maples thrive in wetter environments such as river terraces, flood plains, and seepage areas. In upland areas, strong trees require deep soil and plenty of moisture. Bigleaf maple trees can grow up to 36 inches (91 cm) a year in these conditions, and they have a 150-year lifespan or longer.
Leaves of Bigleaf Maple
One of these maples’ most distinguishing characteristics is their enormous leaves. Every leaf has five lobes that are up to 75% of the leaf’s length cut out. Bigleaf maple leaves can grow up to 6 inches (15 cm) long and 9 or 10 inches (25 cm wide), making them the largest maple leaves overall.
The tree casts a lot of shade when it is in leaf because of its dense canopy of leaves. When the bigleaf maple leaves turn golden and orange in the fall, it puts on a show. The tree’s wide branch system allows it to provide moderate shade even in the winter after the leaves have fallen.
Bigleaf Maple Maintenance
You should be aware of the specifics of bigleaf maple maintenance if you’re thinking about planting one of these trees. A bigleaf maple will not thrive in poor soils, but it may survive. Plant it instead in well-drained, deep soils with lots of moisture.
The best way for these trees to grow is from seed, and a mature maple tree begins to yield seed at the age of about ten years. For best results, plant them in a partially shaded area; deep shade will not benefit them.
