Native uses of the Vine Maple

Vine Maple (Acer circinatum)

Native Americans used this plant to make bows, frames for fishing nets, snowshoes, and cradle frames. They burned it for firewood, and carved cooking tools, bowls and platters. They taught the early settlers to boil the bark to make a tea for colds. Its branches were useful for cradle swings and to make scoop nets to take salmon. Known by Native tribes as the “basket tree,” they crafted beautiful and long-lasting baskets with the long straight stems.