Bigtooth Maple
Acer grandidentatum
Bigtooth Maple (Acer grandidentatum) is a Colorado-native tree suited to the Colorado Front Range, rated "Recommended" on the 2024 Front Range Tree Recommendation List. It matures to about 20–30 ft tall and 15–25 ft wide, slow-growing, needs low to medium water, and prefers full sun to partial shade.
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At a glance
- Rating
- Recommended
- Botanical name
- Acer grandidentatum
- Variety / cultivar
- Bigtooth
- Type
- Tree
- Mature size
- 20–30 ft tall and 15–25 ft wide
- Mature form
- Oval / upright
- Spacing / clearance
- ~25 ft of clearance
- Hardiness zones
- USDA 4–8
- Growth rate
- Slow
- Lifespan
- Long-lived
- Fall color
- Orange, red
- Water needs
- low to medium water
- Sun
- Best in full sun; tolerates partial shade.
- Colorado native
- Yes
- Foliage
- Deciduous
- Soil
- clay, loam, sandy
- Soil pH
- 6.0–8.2
- Hail tolerance
- moderate
- Wind tolerance
- moderate
- Salt tolerance
- moderate
- Firewise (defensible space)
- Zones 1–3 (can be planted near the house)
- Pollinator value
- high
Wildlife & ecology
- Pollinator value
- high
- Deer
- Not deer-resistant
- Native ecoregion
- foothills
Common problems on the Front Range
- Aphids and honeydew
- Verticillium wilt on some species
- Leaf scorch in hot, dry, windy sites
These are general tendencies for this group of plants on the Front Range, not a diagnosis. Many are stress-driven and preventable with good siting and watering. For a specific plant or an active problem, consult a certified arborist or your local CSU Extension office.
Planting & establishment
Water deeply every 7–10 days through the first 2 summers. Winter water 1–2×/month October–March when soil is dry and unfrozen, winter desiccation is a top killer of newly-planted trees. Year 3: taper to 2×/month in summer, then rely on natural precipitation.
Frequently asked questions
- Is Bigtooth Maple good for the Colorado Front Range?
- Yes, Bigtooth Maple is a well-suited tree for Colorado's Front Range, rated "Recommended" on the 2024 Front Range Tree Recommendation List.
- How big does Bigtooth Maple get?
- It matures to about 20–30 ft tall and 15–25 ft wide.
- How much room does Bigtooth Maple need?
- Give Bigtooth Maple about 25 ft of clearance from buildings, fences, and other trees so the mature canopy isn't crowded.
- What shape does Bigtooth Maple grow into?
- Bigtooth Maple typically grows into an upright-oval crown, taller than it is wide. This is the species' usual mature form, named cultivars (columnar, weeping, or compact selections) can differ, so check the specific cultivar.
- Is Bigtooth Maple hardy on the Front Range?
- Bigtooth Maple is hardy in USDA 4–8. The Colorado Front Range spans roughly USDA 4b–6a, so it is well within range.
- How much water does Bigtooth Maple need?
- It needs low to medium water once established.
- How fast does Bigtooth Maple grow?
- Bigtooth Maple is a slow-growing tree. Growth rate depends on water and site conditions on the Front Range.
- How long does Bigtooth Maple live?
- Bigtooth Maple is long-lived, a multi-generational tree given good siting and care. Actual lifespan varies with site, water, and care.
- What color does Bigtooth Maple turn in fall?
- Bigtooth Maple turns orange and red in autumn. Fall color intensity varies with the season and site on the Front Range.
- Is Bigtooth Maple native to Colorado?
- Yes. It is a Colorado native.
- Is Bigtooth Maple deer-resistant?
- No. Bigtooth Maple is not considered deer-resistant and may need protection where deer browse.
- Is Bigtooth Maple a good firewise plant near the house?
- Bigtooth Maple is a lower-fuel choice suitable in defensible-space zones 1–3, it can be planted near the house when kept well irrigated and maintained. This is general suitability guidance based on CSU Extension firewise plant lists, not a guarantee that any plant won't burn, a well-irrigated, well-maintained plant is the goal. Follow CSU Extension defensible-space guidance and check with your local fire district before planting in the wildland-urban interface.
- Is Bigtooth Maple prone to pests or disease on the Front Range?
- Bigtooth Maple can be affected by aphids and honeydew and other issues common to this group on the Front Range. These are general tendencies, not a diagnosis, many are stress-driven and preventable with good siting and watering. For a specific plant or an active problem, consult a certified arborist or CSU Extension.
