Plant Data Sheet

 

 

 

Species

Big leaf maple, Acer macrophyllum

 

Range

Southwest British Columbia to Southern California.

 

Climate, elevation

Sea level to 2000 m

 

Local occurrence (where and how much)

Entire state of Washington.

 

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 Pacific Northwest Coast

Washington, Oregon British Columbia & Alaska. BC Ministry of Forests and Lone

Pine Publishing, Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada p.45

USDA, NRCS. 2002. The PLANTS Database, Version 3.5 (http://plants.usda.gov). National Plant Data Center, Baton Rouge, LA 70874-4490 USA.

The Plants Database. http://plantsdatabase.com  

 

Dug Schmitt