How much sunlight does Pacific maple need?

Pacific maple grows best in part sun, though mature trees can handle a range from fuller sun to part shade depending on soil moisture.

How much water does Pacific maple require?

This tree does best with medium to consistently moist soil, and it is often found along streambanks and in damp forest draws where water is more reliable.

When does Pacific maple bloom?

Pacific maple produces its small yellow-green flower clusters in April and May, before the large leaves are fully expanded.

Do pollinators use Pacific maple flowers?

Bees visit the spring flower clusters of Pacific maple for pollen and nectar during its April to May bloom period.

Is Pacific Maple toxic to livestock?

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

Is Pacific Maple HOA-friendly?

Pacific Maple is generally an HOA-friendly choice in the right placement, with moderate maintenance.

Pacific Maple

Name: Pollinator Patch
Author: Pollinator Patch

Acer macrophyllum

Last reviewed: September 2026

Acer macrophyllum, commonly called Pacific maple or bigleaf maple, is a large deciduous tree that grows well in part sun with medium water. It produces yellow-green flower clusters in April and May.

Toxicity unknown

Pacific Maple (Acer macrophyllum) 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 Pacific Maple as toxic to livestock.

Light

part sun

Water

medium

Size

240"–600" H × 240"–480" W

Bloom

Apr, May

Native to

CA, OR, WA

Pollinators

bees

Before you buy

Your city may pay you to plant this

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Browse plants for this ecoregion

Coast Range Puget Lowland Marine West Coast Forest Northwestern Forested Mountains Sierra Nevada Central California Foothills and Coastal Mountains Central California Valley Southern California Mountains North American Deserts Southern California/Northern Baja Coast

Pacific maple is a large, graceful native tree with broad leaves that turn golden yellow in fall. It produces drooping clusters of small greenish-yellow flowers in spring before the leaves emerge. This majestic tree is well-suited for spacious landscapes where it can reach its full size.

Growing Pacific Maple

Grow Pacific Maple in part sun and medium water. Mature plants reach 240 to 600 inches tall and spread 240 to 480 inches wide. Expect moderate maintenance to keep it looking intentional in a front yard.

In an HOA neighborhood

Pacific Maple is an HOA-friendly choice. Maintenance level: moderate. Tidiness: 4 out of 5.

Works well in: front yard, street edge, mid zone.

Requires significant space due to large mature size
Leaf drop in fall requires seasonal cleanup

Wildlife value

The spring flowers attract bees and other pollinators with nectar and pollen. Seeds provide food for birds and small mammals, while the large canopy offers nesting sites and shelter.

Common questions

How much sunlight does Pacific maple need?: Pacific maple grows best in part sun, though mature trees can handle a range from fuller sun to part shade depending on soil moisture.
How much water does Pacific maple require?: This tree does best with medium to consistently moist soil, and it is often found along streambanks and in damp forest draws where water is more reliable.
When does Pacific maple bloom?: Pacific maple produces its small yellow-green flower clusters in April and May, before the large leaves are fully expanded.
Do pollinators use Pacific maple flowers?: Bees visit the spring flower clusters of Pacific maple for pollen and nectar during its April to May bloom period.
Is Pacific Maple toxic to livestock?: The USDA PLANTS Database does not flag Pacific Maple as toxic to livestock.
Is Pacific Maple HOA-friendly?: Pacific Maple is generally an HOA-friendly choice in the right placement, with moderate maintenance.

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

Native range data from vouchered herbarium specimen records and regional native plant society lists. 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.

See all plant problem guides

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