Bigleaf Maple Flowers

An early sign of spring in the coastal rainforest is a spectacular explosion of flowers, not on the forest floor but in the branches of bigleaf maples! These flowers hang in clusters, and their yellow-green colour may give the casual viewer the impression of emerging leaves. A close examination will reveal that the tree is indeed draped in hundreds of tiny blossoms, a floral show as fecund as a blooming cherry tree, but more subtly blending with the forest palette.

Not just a treat for the eyes, maple flowers are edible with a “subtle, but pleasant taste” enhanced by their abundant nectar. Avid foragers recommend them in salads, as soup garnishes, or baked into pancakes.

Although they don’t have the same reputation as the sugar maple of eastern Canada (yet!), bigleaf maples can also be tapped for their syrup, which is said to have a less sweet and more “earthy” flavour. Culinary values aside, it is a wonderful spring treat to walk in a grove of ancient maples draped in flowers. Seeing these huge, gnarled limbs garland themselves in blooms is a lovely reminder that you’re never too old to blossom.