The bigleaf maple is a medium to large, shade-tolerant broadleaf tree up to 120 feet tall. Bigleaf maple can form pure stands but are usually found in riparian hardwood forests or mixed with evergreens or oaks. It is widely distributed throughout western Oregon and is capable of growing on a wide variety of sites and soils, and regenerating in the shade of other species. It produces a unique yet equally delicious condiment.
The sap of the bigleaf maple can be used for maple syrup production, though not commercially. The wood of the maple is used for furniture, cabinets and flooring, among other products. The bigleaf maple has the largest leaves of all the maples, hence the name. The species is hardy to at least -4☏, but growth and survival are poor in high rainfall areas, so planting should be confined to warmer areas with moderate annual rainfall. However, native species of shrubs and trees should be removed to reduce competition and improve growing conditions. Its needles are blue-green in color, about 1 inch long with a white color underneath.Īt use in landscaping and urban settings, its understory is often determined by design. Male cones are 2 to 3 inches and form on the lower part of tree, with larger purple female cones developing on top branches. The Atlas cedar lives long and requires a lot of space to develop freely, growing 40 to 60 feet high with a 30- to 40-foot spread.
Pyramidal in its youth, it becomes massive with horizontal, spreading branches. This distinctive evergreen has silver blue-green needles.
It is typically cultivated as an ornamental tree in temperate climates of Oregon because it is more tolerant of dry and hot conditions than most conifers. As the common name indicates, this tree is native to the Atlas Mountains of North Africa and is one of our few representatives from that continent.