The Bigleaf Maple is a shaded favorite of the Pacific Northwest, known for its namesake - big leaves. This variety of maple is the tallest in North America, reaching towering heights of over 100 feet in the proper conditions. Each fall, the Bigleaf Maple turns a striking yellow, dropping massive foliage that covers the forest floor. These trees provide sanctuary to a variety of animals, including birds and squirrels, which take to these canopied giants as safe nesting sites.
Image by Jsayre64, Wiki Creative Commons
Foliage
They have big leaves! No, actually! These leaves contain five lobes, or extruded sections, over a wide surface area. Leaves turn a vivid yellow in autumn, and fall on an annual cycle.
Seeds or Cones
Seeds off any maple are often referred to casually as “propellers” or “helicopter seeds” due to their shape and movement, which mimics that of an aircraft propeller. When ready, these seeds will fall from branches. Seed shape combined with falling creates centrifugal force, the force that moves outward from a moving object’s center, causing it to spin. Although the Bigleaf Maple is grandiose, it hardly knows the intricacies of aerodynamics - this tree simply wants to send its seeds further. This is an excellent example of nature displaying the complex laws of science, in this case rotational dynamics, with a simple and innate demonstration.
All illustrations by A.S. Longman
Did you know?
The Bigleaf Maple acts as a home for a whole host of organisms, not just animals! Ferns, lichen, and moss all grow on these trees. The relationship is not parasitic however, meaning that this biomass does not harm the tree in any way. In fact, this relationship is a powerful one, and produces helpful nutrients for the ecosystem such as carbon and nitrogen.
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