Hansen's Northwest Native Plant Database

Acer grandidentatum (Bigtooth Maple, Rocky Mountain Sugar Maple)

Kingdom Plantae – Plants

Subkingdom Tracheobionta – Vascular plants

Superdivision Spermatophyta – Seed plants

Division Magnoliophyta – Flowering plants

Class Magnoliopsida – Dicotyledons

Subclass Rosidae

Order Sapindales

Family Aceraceae – Maple family

Genus Acer L. – maple

Species Acer grandidentatum Nutt. – bigtooth maple

This western version of the beloved Sugar Maple has sweet edible sap that runs in colder regions much like that of its Eastern cousin.

While it can reach 50’, it will most likely remain 20-30’ tall at maturity and be nearly as wide.

The dark green leaves have 3-5 lobes and very blunt teeth, thus giving it the name Bigtooth Maple.

It can be found growing at low desert elevations, along well-drained stream banks, and even in high mountain regions, proving this tree’s versatility.

This North American native can be grown most anywhere in USDA zones 3-10 with minimal care.

As with many deciduous maples, this one is known for its vibrant yellow, orange, and red Fall leaf color.

This is a wonderful single or multi-stemmed tree for the smaller garden or mass plantings along banks and hillsides.

For a short comparison of northwest native maples, click here.