Bigleaf Maple

Audio Narration

Transcript

The bigleaf maple is the largest growing maple species in Canada, growing up to 35 metres tall. They are usually found near rivers, lakes and streams, growing in moist, gravelly soil.

Maple seeds have symmetrical wings. If you pick them up and drop them, you may notice them gliding to the ground in a helicopter-like motion. Rather than falling straight like a chestnut, this winged flight apparatus combined with wind, allows the seeds to travel further away. How far? Just watch. You may be surprised!

The flowers of the bigleaf maple bloom in the spring and are edible, making a tasty treat to celebrate the arrival of a warmer season. Like the sugar maple, bigleaf maple has sweet sap that can be made into syrup. You may be able to find some at a local farmers market!

The bark is rich in calcium, helping it form a mutually beneficial relationship with mosses, lichens and liverworts. Sometimes the moss can become so thick that it acts like soil, allowing other plants to take root and grow high up in the forest canopy.