Acer macrophyllum

The bigleaf maple is in the soapberry or Sapindaceae family and is native to western North America from Alaska to California, generally within 100 km of the coast.

Bigleaf maple has positive root pressure, meaning that if tapped yields sugary sap which can be made into syrup, with about the same sugar content as the sugar maples, although slightly different flavor.

The wood is hard and strong and is used commercially for many applications such as furniture, veneer and other hardwood products.

• Leaves are opposite, simple, the largest of any maples, up to 40 cm long and 30 cm across, with deep sinuses (incised lobes).
• Flowers are produced in pendulous racemes, 15 cm long, greenish yellow.
• Winged seeds form a double samara with 5–6 cm wings, hairy seeds, at about a 30 -40° angle, often many hanging together in clusters.