Most shade tree species and varieties hail from distant regions and lands. British Columbia is home to one of the most noble, but for some reason little used shade trees, big-leaf maple. In undamaged trees, the widely spreading root system supports a short trunk 2-5' across, from which reach out great limbs. However many trees have been cut, and hence grow as groups of tall greyish sapling stems. Old branches are bedecked with colourful mosses, leafy and crusty lichens.
Young twigs are a pleasant medium green.
Fat green buds end the branches during the winter. 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.