Bigleaf Maple (Acer macrophyllum) is in the soapberry family family (Sapindaceae). Across the U.S., iNaturalist users have logged 1,022 research-grade flowering observations of it in our sample, peaking in April.
Nationally it blooms mainly from April to April, but timing varies a lot by state and elevation — see the table below.
When to photograph Bigleaf Maple: observations by month (U.S.)
About Bigleaf Maple
Acer macrophyllum, the bigleaf maple or Oregon maple, is a large deciduous tree in the genus Acer.From Wikipedia via iNaturalist — article, CC BY-SA.
Bigleaf Maple by state
| State | Observations | Peak month | Main season |
|---|---|---|---|
| Oregon | 427 | April | Apr–Apr |
| Washington | 374 | April | Apr–Apr |
| California | 219 | April | Mar–Apr |
Main season = months with at least 30% of the state's peak-month count.
Related wildflowers (soapberry family)
Photography tips
- Photograph flowers on calm, overcast mornings to avoid wind blur and harsh shadows.
- Get low: a shallow depth of field (f/2.8–f/5.6) isolates a bloom against soft color.
- Stay on trails — trampling meadows kills plants and ruins next year's display.
- Try a kaleidoscope abstract of a single bloom with our online kaleidoscope tool.
FAQ
When is the best time to photograph Bigleaf Maple?
Nationally, April has the most observations, with the main season from April to April.
Where is Bigleaf Maple most often seen?
The most observations come from Oregon, Washington, California.