The fruit is a samara or winged seed, which develops in fused pairs at an angle of less than 45° when mature, though some varieties spread out to 90°.

[4] The foliage is browsed by game animals (especially deer and elk in winter), cattle, and sheep.

[4][10] Native Americans utilized the strong stems for snowshoe frames, bows, and other applications.

[4] Some Plateau Indian tribes drink an infusion of Douglas maple as a treatment for diarrhea.

[11] Ramah Navajo use an infusion of the glabrum variety for swellings, and also as a "life medicine", or panacea.