Wasowski, Sally and Andy
Acer grandidentatum Nutt.
Bigtooth maple, Big-toothed maple, Canyon maple
Aceraceae (Maple Family)
A shrubby or somewhat tree-like maple, this species usually matures at 10-15 ft. but is sometimes taller. Its
bark is dark brown and scaly and is branches are stout and erect. The thickish, three- to five-lobed
deciduous leaves turn bright red and gold in the fall. Small to medium-sized
tree with short trunk and spreading, rounded, dense crown; often a shrub. The scientific name, meaning large-toothed, refers to the leaves.
Image Gallery:
25 photo(s) available
Plant Characteristics
Duration: Perennial Habit: Shrub ,
Tree Root Type: Fibrous Leaf Retention: Deciduous Leaf Arrangement: Opposite Leaf Complexity: Simple Leaf Venation: Palmate Leaf Pubescence: Puberulent
Leaf Margin: Dentate , Lobed
Leaf Apex: Obtuse Leaf Base: Cordate Breeding System: Flowers
Unisexual ,
Dioecious Size Notes: 20-45
Leaf: Dk green above, pale under with some fuzz.
Autumn Foliage: yes
Flower: Flowers insignificant
Fruit: Green, 25 mm
Size Class: 36-72 ft.
Bloom Information
Bloom Color: Yellow , Green
Bloom Time: Mar , Apr
Bloom Notes: Flowers are small, in hanging clusters, appearing with the leaves.
Distribution
USA: AZ , CO , ID , MT , NV , NM , TX , UT , WA , WY
Native Distribution: SE. Idaho south to Arizona and east to S. New Mexico and Trans-Pecos Texas; local in Edwards Plateau of S. central Texas, SW. Oklahoma, and N. Mexico; at 4000-7000 (1219-2134 m); locally to 1500 (457 m).
Native Habitat: Moist soils of canyons in mountains and plateaus; in woodlands.
USDA Native Status: L48(N) Growing Conditions
Water Use: Medium
Light Requirement: Sun
Soil Moisture: Moist
CaCO3 Tolerance: None
Cold Tolerant: yes
Heat Tolerant: yes
Soil Description: Moist soils, Limestone-based, Sandy, Sandy Loam, Medium Loam, Clay Loam, Clay, Calcareous
Conditions Comments: Propagation mostly by seed. Great fall color.
Benefit
Use Ornamental: The showy autumn foliage makes it suitable as an ornamental.
Use Food: The western relative of Sugar Maple, Canyon Maple has sweetish
sap used locally to prepare maple sugar.
Use Other: The wood provides good fuel.
Conspicuous Flowers: yes
Interesting Foliage: yes
Deer Resistant: High
2013-03-25
