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Glorious Trees in Our Neighborhood: Majestic Maples

Writer's picture: Helga Strauss StevensHelga Strauss Stevens

Updated: Feb 5

Leaves as big as your head?! Yep, that’s our Bigleaf Maple, native to BC and growing mostly on Vancouver Island.
Leaves as big as your head?! Yep, that’s our Bigleaf Maple, native to BC and growing mostly on Vancouver Island.

Oh, how I adore this time of year! It’s such a joy to walk around our beautiful neighborhood taking in the lovely Autumn display! And what fun it is to bring brilliant Fall leaves back home with you to inspire and uplift your creativity in fresh ways. I especially love it when you can find leaves that are in transformation from Summer to Fall, with shades of green paired with reds, orange and yellows. So stunning! And did you know that if you can catch a leaf mid-air, before it hits the ground, it’s good luck?


We all love Autumn here with our sweater weather and pumpkin spice coffees and treats but I was fascinated to read about the celebration of Autumn in Japan. It’s a highly anticipated event that brings tons of tourists “hunting” for Fall leaves and indulging in special seasonal treats (like they do for the celebration of Spring and its glorious cherry blossoms).

Aren’t these Japanese Maple leaves amazing?! Look at that rainbow of colours! They’re near Good Acre Lake in Beacon Hill Park near the pickle ball courts.
Aren’t these Japanese Maple leaves amazing?! Look at that rainbow of colours! They’re near Good Acre Lake in Beacon Hill Park near the pickle ball courts.

Maple leaves and seeds are very popular at this time of year. They’re enjoyed in many traditional Japanese dishes. And in Osaka, Japan, since the 13th century, one can delight in maple leaf fritters called Momiji. They are made with fresh, yellow, Japanese Maple leaves that are collected and soaked in salt water for a year. Then they are removed and fried in a batter with sugar and sesame, one single maple leaf at a time. They’re enjoyed individually like potato chips. Doesn’t that sound amazing? Oh, I would love to try them someday!


We have an abundance of stunning Japanese Maple trees … look for them around your neighborhood, as they are a lovely part of many front gardens. Did you know that according to feng shui, having a Maple tree in front of your house will invite warmth, inspiration, beauty and positive energy into your home?


We can also look for Autumn splendor Japanese Maples in Beacon Hill Park … my favourites are on the walking path behind Moss Lady and near Emily Carr’s bridge (built in 1945 with stones from her favourite beach).

Helga’s Lil’ Tree Advice Cards that she created and designed. Red Maple tells us to “Share our gifts” just as it so very much does with us…thank you for everything, including maple syrup, Red Maple!
Helga’s Lil’ Tree Advice Cards that she created and designed. Red Maple tells us to “Share our gifts” just as it so very much does with us…thank you for everything, including maple syrup, Red Maple!

And how about our glorious Maple trees here in Canada? Maple is our national tree; its leaf is on our flag, and we are the world’s largest producer of maple syrup (which is sap from Maple trees). Its part of our culture, economy and history and some say it runs through their veins. And let’s face it, it’s delicious on just about everything…especially banana pancakes!


There are over 100 species of Maple trees around the world. 10 are native to Canada. 3 are native to BC: Douglas Maple, Vine Maple and Bigleaf Maple, whose leaf shape is described as palmate, like an open hand. You can spot a Bigleaf Maple because its leaves are so large… bigger than your head! Their shape is like the Sugar Maple leaf that’s on our Canadian flag… but much larger…they can get up to 24” across. They are the biggest Maple tree leaves and seeds in the Maple family.

M is for Maple. And Maple tree symbolizes success. See Helga’s whole handmade Alphabet of Tree Leaves with their Meanings in the Emily Carr House classroom.
M is for Maple. And Maple tree symbolizes success. See Helga’s whole handmade Alphabet of Tree Leaves with their Meanings in the Emily Carr House classroom.

Speaking of the Sugar Maple, they grow mostly in Quebec, where most of the world’s maple syrup is produced. But oddly enough, all Maple trees produce sap which can be turned into maple syrup. But our Sugar, Red and Black Maple trees have the highest sugar content and are the ones best for producing maple syrup, which can vary in taste from place, tree to tree, etc. But I was shocked to discover that it takes 40 gallons of Sugar Maple sap to make 1 gallon of syrup. And for other types of Maple trees, it takes much more.


Did you know that Indigenous peoples taught settlers how to tap Maple trees for their sap?

Pressing Maple seedpods, flowers and leaves is so much fun! Simply add sheets of parchment paper to a book, bring it to the park and add leaves, flowers, seedpods, etc.  When home, place a big heavy book on top, wait about 3 weeks and voila! you’ve got lovely, pressed nature treasures.
Pressing Maple seedpods, flowers and leaves is so much fun! Simply add sheets of parchment paper to a book, bring it to the park and add leaves, flowers, seedpods, etc.  When home, place a big heavy book on top, wait about 3 weeks and voila! you’ve got lovely, pressed nature treasures.

Did you also know that those little helicopter Maple seedpods (also known as “whirlers” and more properly as “samaras”) contain edible seeds? Google how to remove the seeds from the wings …they can be eaten fresh, roasted, etc. They’re also an excellent source of food for our local wildlife (squirrels, birds and more).


Yes, all Maple trees have edible leaves, flowers, bark, sap and seeds. Amazing, eh?


And maple wood is a beautiful, prized wood. It’s used in bowling alleys, furniture, boats and more. And the rare bird’s eye maple is especially coveted. It has a beautiful swirling, cloud-like grain with dark dots, and it’s still not really known what stresses a Red Maple tree undergoes to create it.

Play with leaves! Make celebratory Autumn tags by simply stitching or adhering lovely Fall leaves to tags. Add a favourite quote about Autumn and give to a loved one.
Play with leaves! Make celebratory Autumn tags by simply stitching or adhering lovely Fall leaves to tags. Add a favourite quote about Autumn and give to a loved one.

Here's wishing you a wonderful Autumn season hunting for Fall colours in your warm, cozy sweater with maple tea and treats in hand. Perhaps you’ll be inspired to collect some beautiful Maple tree leaves to share, enjoy and celebrate the season!


This article was originally published in the James Bay Beacon newspaper in October 2024.


Helga Strauss is a local artist, educator, therapeutic arts practitioner and tree lover… find her at HelgaStrauss.com. Join her at historic Emily Carr House (built in 1863) for fun Autumn arts and crafts classes and the popular, free Halloween Creative Station on October 19, 2024: 11-3. Register for all on Eventbrite through The Carr House Community Society.

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