It thrives in poor gravelly soils and makes a massive root system on slopes, which makes it excellent for erosion control. Bigleaf Maple Basics Broad-leaved deciduous tree. Can live over 200 years. Leaves leak a milky, sticky juice when broken. Graceful greenish-yellow flowers, April through May.
Fall leaves turn golden yellow.
The bigleaf maple often wears a shaggy green coat of moss, lichen, and ferns. Bigleaf maple make special roots which tap this soil for nutrients. The heavy weight of wet moss can also break branches. Maples Make Habitat Fragrant yellow spring flowers are favored by honeybees and butterflies. The seeds or samaras are eaten by squirrels, chipmunks, and a variety of birds including finches and Evening Grosbeaks.