354 BROADLEAF TREES OF THE PACIFIC SLOPE 



Broadleaf Maple. Of the four species of Maple growing 

 on the Pacific Slope, only this has any economic value as a 

 timber tree. It is quite frequently called " Bigleaf Maple " 

 and " Oregon Maple." Botanically it is known as Acer 

 macrophyllum. Its range is from northern "Washington to 

 southern California, along borders of foothills and low 

 mountain streams, in moist, gravelly, and rich humus soils. 

 Its climatic requirements are those of the Douglas and 

 other Firs. It forms practically pure stands over large 

 areas, but is often mixed with Lowland Fir. It is light- 

 demanding, and when in dense stands grows straight and 

 quite free from limbs. It attains a height of from sixty to 

 eighty feet with a diameter of from fifteen to thirty inches, 

 sometimes larger, but when in the open, it is short-stemmed, 

 crooked, and practically worthless for lumber. 



The wood is fine-grained, rather hard, firm, not strong, 

 heartwood light brown, with pale reddish tint, and thick 

 lighter-colored sapwood. It is largely used for interior 

 finish, furniture, and general purposes, in which it com- 

 pares quite favorably with the Hard Maples of the East- 

 ern States. It is a tree of first importance in the region 

 where it grows. Whether it will flourish outside of its na- 

 tural habitat is problematical. It may be as exacting in 

 climatic conditions as is its frequent companion the Dou- 

 glas Fir. It is a rapid grower, forest-grown trees fifty to 

 eighty years of age attaining a diameter of twelve to twenty 

 inches, averaging an annual layer of one eighth of an inch 

 in thickness. It sometimes reaches an age of two hundred 

 years. 



While no efforts are known to have been made to culti- 

 vate it for any other than ornamental purposes, there is no 

 question but that it can be readily grown as a forest tree in 

 its natural habitat. It is a good seeder and germination takes 

 place quite well naturally, although growing plants in a 

 nursery would more certainly result in a satisfactory stand. 

 Its great importance as a timber tree renders its cultivation 

 highly desirable. 



