maple seed

Maples in central and southwest Ohio, particularly red maple are producing heavy seed (samara) loads. Excessive seed production can temporarily cause maples to have stunted leaves or no leaves, particularly towards the top of seedy trees. Consequently, the thin canopies coupled with brown samaras can cause homeowners to ask, “What’s wrong with my maple trees?”

Concerned Ohioans are reporting their maples have stunted leaves or no leaves at all; particularly towards the top of the tree. However, it’s unlikely a tree-killing issue is responsible for a general widespread maple malaise throughout Ohio.

Phone calls and e-mail messages to Extension offices from landowners concerned about the health of maples should soon be on the rise. That's because maples, especially silver (Acer saccharinum) and red maples (A. rubrum), in many regions of Ohio as well as Indiana and Kentucky are producing loads of winged seeds (samaras).

Apparently, the sporadic freeze-frost events that occurred this spring in southwest and central Ohio caused little damage to maple flowers and developing seed.  Almost all species of maples in those parts of the state are festooned with heavy seed (a.k.a. "helicopter seed," "maple spinners,").  Abundant winged maple seeds (samaras) in the spring can draw both the attention and wrath of landscapers and homeowners.  Trees shift energy to support heavy seed production at the expense of leaf expansion which makes "seedy trees" look unhealthy.  The overall sickly appearance is enhanced once...