Leaves of big-leaf maple are the largest of any tree in British Columbia. In fall their rich yellow forms paint each tree, then fall to earth to be crunched underfoot. They burst forth in early spring revealing often 50 or more small greenish yellow fragrant blooms. Male and female flowers are separate, but occur in the same cluster. The clusters magnetically draw pollinating flies until each tree hums like a giant machine.
Fruits are rather large, typical maple keys consisting of a wing and body.
The spiny hairs, which cover the surface of the body, will penetrate and irritate the skin. In British Columbia the maple's natural range includes most of Vancouver Island and the adjacent mainland coast, extending well up major valleys. Big-leaf maple is reported from Alaska, but the main distribution extends mostly west of the Cascade Mountains south to California with an outlying population in Idaho. Big-leaf maple revels in moist rich soils especially along rivers, streams and floodplains. Curiously you will find it on moist rocky slopes often rooted in the rubble at the foot of cliffs.