Bigtooth Maple (ROCKY MOUNTAIN GLOW®)
Acer saccharum subsp. grandidentatum
Bigtooth Maple (ROCKY MOUNTAIN GLOW®) (Acer saccharum subsp. grandidentatum) is a tree suited to the Colorado Front Range, rated "Recommended" on the 2024 Front Range Tree Recommendation List. It matures to about 20 to 30 ft tall and 15 to 25 ft wide, slow-growing, needs low to medium water, and prefers full sun to partial shade. Tree forms.
low to medium water20 to 30 ft tall and 15 to 25 ft wideXeric / water-wise
Photos
- Photo 1: no rights reserved
- Photo 2: (c) Logan, some rights reserved (CC BY)
- Photo 3: (c) Logan, some rights reserved (CC BY)
At a glance
Will it survive here?
- Hardiness zones
- USDA 4 to 8
- Water needs
- low to medium water
- Sun
- Best in full sun; tolerates partial shade.
- Soil
- clay, loam, sandy
- Soil pH
- 6.0 to 8.2
- Hail tolerance
- moderate
- Wind tolerance
- moderate
- Salt tolerance
- moderate
How big, what shape?
- Mature size
- 20 to 30 ft tall and 15 to 25 ft wide
- Mature form
- Oval / upright
- Spacing / clearance
- ~25 ft of clearance
- Growth rate
- Slow
- Lifespan
- Long-lived
What it looks like, and when
- Fall color
- Orange, red
- Foliage
- Deciduous
Who else benefits
- Pollinator value
- high
- Deer
- Not rated
- Colorado native
- No
Also worth knowing
- Fire rating
- Not rated
Site factors to consider
- Critical: Cold HardinessThe average low suits it fine; our real cold risk is the swings, late frosts, and intense winter sun, so wrap young trunks and give it shelter.
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 to 10 days through the first 2 summers. Winter water 1 to 2×/month October to 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 (ROCKY MOUNTAIN GLOW®) good for the Colorado Front Range?
- Yes, Bigtooth Maple (ROCKY MOUNTAIN GLOW®) 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 (ROCKY MOUNTAIN GLOW®) get?
- It matures to about 20 to 30 ft tall and 15 to 25 ft wide.
- How much room does Bigtooth Maple (ROCKY MOUNTAIN GLOW®) need?
- Give Bigtooth Maple (ROCKY MOUNTAIN GLOW®) about 25 ft of clearance from buildings, fences, and other trees so the mature canopy isn't crowded.
- What shape does Bigtooth Maple (ROCKY MOUNTAIN GLOW®) grow into?
- Bigtooth Maple (ROCKY MOUNTAIN GLOW®) 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 (ROCKY MOUNTAIN GLOW®) hardy on the Front Range?
- Bigtooth Maple (ROCKY MOUNTAIN GLOW®) is hardy in USDA 4 to 8. The Colorado Front Range spans roughly USDA 4b to 6a, so it is well within range. That said, it carries a cold-hardiness caution: The average low suits it fine; our real cold risk is the swings, late frosts, and intense winter sun, so wrap young trunks and give it shelter.
- How much water does Bigtooth Maple (ROCKY MOUNTAIN GLOW®) need?
- It needs low to medium water once established.
- How fast does Bigtooth Maple (ROCKY MOUNTAIN GLOW®) grow?
- Bigtooth Maple (ROCKY MOUNTAIN GLOW®) is a slow-growing tree. Growth rate depends on water and site conditions on the Front Range.
- How long does Bigtooth Maple (ROCKY MOUNTAIN GLOW®) live?
- Bigtooth Maple (ROCKY MOUNTAIN GLOW®) 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 (ROCKY MOUNTAIN GLOW®) turn in fall?
- Bigtooth Maple (ROCKY MOUNTAIN GLOW®) turns orange and red in autumn. Fall color intensity varies with the season and site on the Front Range.
- Is Bigtooth Maple (ROCKY MOUNTAIN GLOW®) native to Colorado?
- No. It is not a Colorado native, but it grows well on the Front Range.
- Is Bigtooth Maple (ROCKY MOUNTAIN GLOW®) prone to pests or disease on the Front Range?
- Bigtooth Maple (ROCKY MOUNTAIN GLOW®) 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.
