fauntleroy tree walk
Big leaf maple
lushootseed name:
Many times the lightweight wood would be used to make paddles, deeming it the “paddle tree” by indigenous peoples of the area.
latin name:
acer macrophyllum — this name means bitter longleaf
habitat
This plant can be found from Alaska all the way to California, primarily west of the Cascade Crest, but it is also found in Idaho. It prefers to live in moist soils centered along riparian corridors or in the deciduous to conifer transition zone at mid to low elevations. This tree can tolerate short-term flooding events but not long-term exposure. It exists alongside red alder under the canopy of upslope conifer species, such as Douglas fir, western red cedar, and western hemlock. Long ago, when this area was renewed by receding glaciers, grass and forb meadows inhabited this area. Big leaf maples were one of the first species to grow among the sea of grasses, pioneering the forest ecosystem you see here today.
Identification
growth habit
Standing as tall as 50-100 feet in some areas, this species is the tallest of maples within North America.
leaves
As the common name implies, these leaves are very big. Distinctly palmate-or spreading like a hand showing its palm-with 5 lobes. Leaves are green in the spring to summer months and turn a brilliant red color in sun and gold color in shade in fall.
flower
Hanging clusters house many flowers. Petals are yellow to green and clasp numerous stamens.
fruits
Sometimes known as whirligigs, these hairy 2-winged fruits are green in early season and ripen to red to purple to brown in the late season. The botanical term for this type of fruit is a samara.
bark
Shallowly rigged and brown to red, typically covered in a myriad of mosses, lichens, and ferns.
Look-a-likes
This species is often confused with its smaller cousin, vine maple. An easy way to tell these two apart, despite size, is to count the leaf lobes. Big leaf maple has 5 lobes, while vine maple has 7 to 9.
Ecology
Big leaf maple grows extremely well in disturbed, open sites such as this past-logged site. Big leaf maple employs resilient strategies, by resprouting easily from root crown (part from which root turns into stem) associations and producing numerous seeds that disperse easily on wind via wing-like structures.
Large leaves provide great shade that cools creeks for resident fishes. Organic material that falls from this species breaks down easily, quickly restoring nutrients back to the system. Insects and salamanders enjoy living in the dark and moist shelter beneath fallen branches and logs. Mule deer, elk, and rodents relish delicious foliage, while birds such as grosbeaks and finches enjoy the many seeds available from September to October.
Many times big leaf maple will drop branches, leaving crevices in the tree’s trunk that provide great shelter for small mammals. In March to June, brilliant and plentiful blooms provide a spectacular nectar source for pollinators.
Big leaf maples’ claim to fame is shown through its ability to harbor more plant and moss life than any other tree species in the Pacific Northwest. Many times the trunk and branches of this tree will be so covered in green material that it looks like a carpet.
Big leaf maple can provide growth-grounds for seeds falling from the upper canopy and the tree itself can even sprout surface roots, reaching into the carpet soil to extract nutrients and support growth. A common associate with this tree is the dainty licorice fern.
Ethnobotany
Big leaf maple was used frequently for carving items such as dishware, tools, canoe paddles, and cradleboards. The wood was also used to build framework for sweat lodges and in holding up temporary houses for nomadic travelers. Large leaves were used to cover food cooking in pits, typically used for salmon and elderberry preparation. Seeds, seedlings, and sap have been eaten. Bark has been used to weave baskets, cordage and rope, and tumplines for hauling heavy materials. Medicinally, this plant has been used to treat tuberculosis and sore throats.