Acer macrophyllum ~ Bigleaf Maple
Acer macrophyllum is native to moist north facing slopes and stream banks above 3000 feet in Southern California. Acer macrophyllum can be found on the valley floor of Yosemite under oaks and pines. By the time you get to Northern California it grows to near sea level. The Bigleaf Maple can grow to 100 feet up North in its prime habitat, in our area, trees are more likely to top out in the 30 foot range, and often smaller. Acer macrophyllum starts out well in the shade of other trees, particularly where the range of the tree is being stretched.
Spring foliage and flowers of Acer macrophyllum the Bigleaf Maple. High resolution photos are part of our garden image collection.
California Native Trees that reliably produce Colorful Fall Foliage in our dry climate:
Acer macrophyllum
Acer negundo californicum
Cornus nuttallii
Fraxinus dipetala
Juglans californica
Platanus racemosa
Populus fremontii
Quercus douglassii
Quercus garryana
Quercus kelloggii
Quercus lobata
Salix lasiolepis