Five Ton Big Leaf Maple To Be Planted at the Gates Foundation

February 3, 2010 - On Friday, February 5th, an unusually large Big Leaf Maple will be planted at the future entry to the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation campus. This specimen has a trunk diameter of almost 8 inches and weighs approximately 10,000 pounds, so a large crane will be used to move the tree into place. With its charismatic, giant leaves, the native Big Leaf Maple is a signature feature of Seattle’s unique, natural landscape, so it will be used throughout the new campus. Big Leaf Maple hosts a special community of other native plants, birds, and beneficial insects within its high canopy, and it will enhance the urban habitat value of the campus.