W. North Am. Coast, inland Calif. (PNW native)
"The seeds provide food for squirrels, evening grosbeaks, chipmunks, mice, and a variety of birds. Elk and deer browse the young twigs, leaves, and saplings... Bigleaf maple can be planted on sites infected with laminated rot for site rehabilitation. It can also accelerate nutrient cycling, site productivity, revegetate disturbed riparian areas, and contribute to long-term sustainability." [1]
"The inner bark was often dried and ground into a powder and then used as a thickener in soups or mixed with cereals when mixing bread. A fiber was obtained from the inner bark and used in making ropes, baskets, and crude dresses. The large leaves were used for storing food to help preserve them or burned in steaming pots to add flavor to food. An infusion of the bark was used in the treatment of tuberculosis. A sticky gum obtained from the buds in the spring was mixed with oil and used as a hair tonic." [1]
"The light brown wood is used in making furniture, cabinets, paneling, musical instruments, and veneer. In Washington and Oregon, it is used in the interior finish of buildings, for axe, and broomhandles." [1]
[1] Favorite, Jammie. “BIGLEAF MAPLE Plant Guide.” NRCS National Plant Data Center, USDA, 24 May 2006, plants.usda.gov/plantguide/pdf/pg_acma3.pdf.
