Big tooth maple
Acer saccharum subsp. grandidentatum
Family: Sapindaceae
What it is like
A shrub or small tree. It grows 5 m tall. There are prickles along the stem. The leaves are twice divided and there are 8-18 pairs of pinnae. There are up to 50 pairs of pinnules on each pinnae. The flowers are yellow. They are in large clusters at the ends of branches. The pods are flattened.
There are about 120-150 Acer species.
Where it is found
It is a temperate plant. It occurs naturally in valleys at 1200 - 2100 metres. It grows well on moist well drained soils. When trees are dormant they can withstand temperatures to -45°C.
Countries/locations it is found in
Canada, North America, USA
How it is used for food
The sap of the tree is used as a source of sugar. It produces Maple syrup. The inner bark can be cooked, dried, ground into flour then used to thicken soups. The seeds with the wings removed can be boiled and eaten.
Edible parts
Seeds, sap, bark
How it is grown
Many seed do not germinate. Seed should be pre-soaked for 24 hours then kept cold at 0-8°C for 2-4 months to assist them to grown. Seed can be sown fresh if green seeds are used. Layering or cuttings can be used.
The sap can be tapped within 10 - 15 years from seed.
Its other names
Local names
Bigtooth Maple, Canyon Maple