Bigtooth Maple

Acer grandidentatum

Bigtooth Maple is a small to medium deciduous maple native to western North America. It prefers well drained sites and shows good fall color and spring flowers followed by samaras.

Key Facts

  • Deciduous maple native to western North America.
  • Leaves have large toothed lobes and show attractive fall color.
  • Small to medium sized tree used as a specimen or street tree.
  • Flowers in spring and produces paired samaras.
  • Tolerates rocky and alkaline soils and is drought tolerant once established.
  • Prefers well drained sites and will decline in poorly drained soil.
  • Propagated by seed and by grafting in nursery production.

Bigtooth Maple (Acer grandidentatum) is a small to medium deciduous tree native to western North America that makes a dramatic specimen in rocky or alkaline sites. It offers spring flowers and paired samaras followed by large toothed leaves that turn attractive fall color while preferring well drained locations.

Identification and size

Leaves have large toothed lobes that give the tree its common name and produce showy fall color. Mature trees commonly reach about 20 to 40 feet tall with a similar spread. Spring brings small yellowish flowers that develop into the paired winged samaras maples are known for.

Where to grow and best uses

Plant as a specimen, small shade tree, or street tree on well drained sites and rocky slopes where other maples struggle. It is suited to USDA zones 4 to 8 and performs well in canyon walls and woodland edges. In hot low elevation locations provide some afternoon shade to reduce stress.

Soil light and watering

Bigtooth Maple prefers well drained soil and tolerates rocky and alkaline conditions. It benefits from consistent moisture during establishment and becomes drought tolerant once established. Too much shade reduces fall color and vigor while standing water or poorly drained heavy soils lead to decline.

Planting and spacing

Space trees to reflect their mature spread which is typically 20 to 40 feet so branches have room to develop. Select a planting site with good drainage and adequate room from structures and utilities. Mulch the planting area to conserve moisture but avoid piling mulch against the trunk.

After flowering and maintenance

After spring flowering remove only dead or crossing branches to maintain a strong structure for a long lived specimen. Open grown trees develop broader crowns while restricted sites produce narrower forms. Monitor for poor drainage which is the main cause of decline in landscape settings.

Propagation and nursery notes

Propagate by seed from samaras after required cold stratification for seedlings. Grafting or budding is commonly used in nursery production for named forms because cuttings are often unreliable. Seedlings will not be true to cultivar so grafted stock is preferred for specific landscape selections.

Frequently asked questions

How fast does Bigtooth Maple grow?
Growth rate is moderate and varies with soil depth water and climate. Trees often reach their typical 20 to 40 foot size over several decades depending on site quality.
Is Bigtooth Maple drought tolerant?
Yes once established it tolerates drought. Young trees need consistent moisture during the first few years to develop a deep root system that provides later drought resistance.
What soil does it prefer?
It prefers well drained soils and tolerates rocky and alkaline conditions. Avoid poorly drained heavy soils because prolonged wet conditions cause decline.
Is it suitable as a street tree?
Yes its moderate size and tolerance for rocky or alkaline soils make it a good choice for streets and urban plantings where space allows a 20 to 40 foot canopy.
How is it propagated?
Common methods are seed propagation from samaras and grafting for named forms. Cuttings have variable success so grafted nursery stock is often used for reliable results.

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