Plant Data Sheet
Species
Big leaf maple, Acer macrophyllum
Range
Climate, elevation
Sea level to 2000 m
Local occurrence (where and how much)
Entire state of
Habitat preferences
Small forest openings and open areas.
Plant strategy type/successional stage
Early successional stage
Associated species
Acer circinatum, Acer glabrum
Maybe collected as: (seed, layered, divisions, etc.)
Seed, salvage
Collection restrictions or guidelines
Collect as late as possible, but before the rains (between October through January)
Seed germination (needs dormancy breaking?)
Cold stratify at 1-5 degrees C, 40-80 days prior to sowing
Seed life (can be stored, short shelf life, long shelf
life)
Short seed life, decay quickly. Possible to store for 1 year or more, if collected when seed is at lowest moisture.
Recommended seed storage conditions
Store at 1 degree C until stratifying begins.
Propagation recommendations (plant seeds, vegetative parts, cuttings, etc.)
Plant seeds, salvage plants with three for more leaves, grow in containers for two years before planting.
Soil or medium requirements (inoculum necessary?)
Prefers alluvial soils.
Installation form (form, potential for successful outcomes, cost)
Seeds or container plants
grown from seed, salvage, bare root.
Recommended planting density
300 – 700 per acre, 6 – 10 O.C.
Normal rate of growth or spread: lifespan
Perennial, high seed production after ten years.
Sources
cited
Pojar, J. and A. MacKinnon. 1994. Plants
of the
Pine Publishing,
USDA,
NRCS. 2002. The PLANTS Database, Version 3.5 (http://plants.usda.gov).
The Plants Database. http://plantsdatabase.com
Dug Schmitt