What IS the California Native Tree with Leaves which Emerge Red, and slowly turn Green and Yellow Flowers which turn Crimson?

YES, it's TRUE! we have a real stunner in the RED variety of Bigleaf Maple - Acer macrophylla.

The leaves emerge a deep, blood red and slowly turn a bronzy green. At the same time, bright yellow [chartreuse] drupes of flowers emerge with the leaves and then over a few days turn bright crimson as the samaras emerge from the flowers. If you catch them in their glory [which lasts at least a couple of weeks right around now], they are easily one of the most beautiful native American trees.

The strange thing is, most people are not even aware of it. I haven't found any mention of it anywhere, but a well-known botanist friend told me that it is recognized by a few of them. I have been growing them from seed for the last couple of years and they grow very quickly and so far, all the leaves have come out true [the saplings from seeds from a red tree retain the red coloration]. I've included in the link above, photos of both the red one and the much more common green one [which is also very beautiful]. Take a look at them and use the slidshow feature in the upper right hand corner to see them more clearly.

Another very attractive feature of the bigleaf maple is the beautiful silvery-gray- and a little black bark. Although usually found in stream bottoms where the water table is very high, it's also found on ridgetops all around the Bay Area. It's surprisingly drought-tolerant once established but you can give it an occasional deep watering in the summer so that it retains it's leaves longer in the fall - which you DO want, because they turn wonderful shades of creamy orange and butter yellow - and totally cheery!

If you'd like more info or to purchase one of these trees, contact me at pete@eastbaywilds.com
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