Bigtooth Maple

Name: Pollinator Patch
Author: Pollinator Patch

Acer grandidentatum

Last reviewed: August 2026

Bigtooth Maple is a small to medium deciduous tree with brilliant orange to red fall color, blooming from March through May on dry canyon slopes and rocky foothills across the western United States.

Toxicity unknown

Bigtooth Maple (Acer grandidentatum) is not listed by the ASPCA Animal Poison Control Center (opens in new tab) or the other sources we check, so we have no verdict for it either way. Absence from those lists is not a clearance. If your pet shows symptoms after eating any plant, call the ASPCA at (888) 426-4435.

The USDA PLANTS Database (opens in new tab) does not flag Bigtooth Maple as toxic to livestock.

Light

full sun

Water

medium

Size

180"–480" H × 120"–180" W

Bloom

Mar, Apr, May

Native to

AZ, CA, CO, ID and 10 more states

Pollinators

butterflies

Before you buy

Your city may pay you to plant this

Cities and water utilities offer rebates for replacing lawn with native and water-wise plants. We track 452 programs across 44 states, each with a link to the provider and the date we last checked it.

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Browse plants for this ecoregion

North American Deserts Central Basin and Range Northwestern Forested Mountains Southern Rockies Arizona/New Mexico Mountains Chihuahuan Deserts High Plains Central Great Plains Cross Timbers Edwards Plateau Madrean Archipelago

Bigtooth Maple is a medium-sized deciduous tree native to the Texas Hill Country and western regions. It produces stunning orange and red fall colors that rival eastern maples, making it a prized landscape specimen. This drought-tolerant tree thrives in rocky, alkaline soils and provides excellent shade.

Growing Bigtooth Maple

Grow Bigtooth Maple in full sun and medium water. Mature plants reach 180 to 480 inches tall and spread 120 to 180 inches wide. Expect low maintenance to keep it looking intentional in a front yard.

In an HOA neighborhood

Bigtooth Maple takes more care to keep looking intentional in a front yard. Maintenance level: low. Consider it for backyard or mid-zone beds rather than the street edge.

Works well in: backyard only.

Tree size exceeds typical HOA-friendly range
Best suited for backyard or with special approval

Wildlife value

The spring flowers attract butterflies and other pollinators. The tree also provides nesting sites for birds and its seeds feed various wildlife species.

Common questions

How much water does Bigtooth Maple need?: Bigtooth Maple does well with medium moisture but tolerates low water once established, which suits its habit of growing on dry rocky slopes and in canyon bottoms.
When does Bigtooth Maple bloom?: Bigtooth Maple blooms in spring, generally from March through May, with small yellow-green flowers appearing as the leaves emerge.
What pollinators visit Bigtooth Maple?: Butterflies are among the pollinators drawn to its early spring flowers.
How much light does Bigtooth Maple need?: It grows best in full sun but can handle part sun or part shade, particularly on hotter, drier sites where some afternoon shade helps reduce stress.
Is Bigtooth Maple evergreen?: No, it is deciduous. Leaves turn shades of orange and red before dropping in autumn.
Is Bigtooth Maple toxic to livestock?: The USDA PLANTS Database does not flag Bigtooth Maple as toxic to livestock.
Is Bigtooth Maple HOA-friendly?: Bigtooth Maple takes more care to look intentional in a front yard. Consider it for backyard or mid-zone beds rather than the street edge.

These answers were drafted with an AI model from this plant's data. Verify care details with a local expert.

Native range data from the World Checklist of Vascular Plants (Kew). Pollinator and host plant associations compiled from GBIF, iNaturalist, and published ecological literature.

If something looks wrong

Common plant problems, and what to check first

These come up on almost any plant. Each guide lists the likely causes in the order they are worth ruling out, with one thing to check before you act on any of them, and links to the source it came from.

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Common questions

How much water does Bigtooth Maple need?

Bigtooth Maple does well with medium moisture but tolerates low water once established, which suits its habit of growing on dry rocky slopes and in canyon bottoms.

When does Bigtooth Maple bloom?

Bigtooth Maple blooms in spring, generally from March through May, with small yellow-green flowers appearing as the leaves emerge.

What pollinators visit Bigtooth Maple?

Butterflies are among the pollinators drawn to its early spring flowers.

How much light does Bigtooth Maple need?

It grows best in full sun but can handle part sun or part shade, particularly on hotter, drier sites where some afternoon shade helps reduce stress.

Is Bigtooth Maple evergreen?

No, it is deciduous. Leaves turn shades of orange and red before dropping in autumn.

Is Bigtooth Maple toxic to livestock?

The USDA PLANTS Database does not flag Bigtooth Maple as toxic to livestock.

Is Bigtooth Maple HOA-friendly?

Bigtooth Maple takes more care to look intentional in a front yard. Consider it for backyard or mid-zone beds rather than the street edge.

These answers were drafted with an AI model from this plant's data. Verify care details with a local expert.

Common plant problems, and what to check first

See all plant problem guides