Seeds! Seeds! And more Seeds!

[Rossell's Sugar Camp]

All the hard maples here in Southwestern Pa have decided to go to seed all at once. More seeds/helecopters/samaras than i have ever seen in my life. Henry my equipment dealer said it may cause a lower sugar content in the sap.

Any theories of your own?
Is it happening elsewhere this year?

[John c]

I did notice that the leaves changed color here pretty fast and a bit ahead of schedule but I havnt noticed the seeds.

[heus]

Lots of seeds in NE Ohio.

[Z/MAN]

I have some hard maples with no leaves at all but lots of seeds still hanging on!

[Ed R]

Its been my experience that high seed years equal lower sugar concentrations. The trees are putting alot of energy into reproduction and not into vegatative growth/sugar production. It doesn't always mean a bad year, just more boiling. Also, dryer has always been better for sugar concentrations in our woods.I

[DrTimPerkins]

All the hard maples here in Southwestern Pa have decided to go to seed all at once.

Maples, like many hardwoods with fairly large seeds that are susceptible to predation, will display synchronous large seed crops (mast) every 3-5 years. It is very energy demanding. Sugar content might be a bit lower next spring, and the trees may actually look a bit on the unhealthy side next summer. Fortunately we had a pretty decent growing season for the most part (at least in the northeast), and the trees undoubtedly produced a lot of carbohydrate, so this heavy seed crop shouldn't cause any real long-lasting problem. Biggest issue I can think of is that the bumper crop of seeds may create a bumper crop of squirrels next spring.

[BryanEx]

Biggest issue I can think of is that the bumper crop of seeds may create a bumper crop of squirrels next spring.

Ah-ha! So buckets are better 2~3 times per decade. :D

[adk1]

that is what I have a 22 for!

[vikingHB]

Here in Ontario I am seeing the same thing. The other trees on the property also have an abundance of seed/nuts this year (ash, hickory, beech) vs other years. I don't know if it has any correlation to the amount of rain we have had. We have had monsoons since the spring.

[Russell Lampron]

Maples, like many hardwoods with fairly large seeds that are susceptible to predation, will display synchronous large seed crops (mast) every 3-5 years. It is very energy demanding. Sugar content might be a bit lower next spring, and the trees may actually look a bit on the unhealthy side next summer. Fortunately we had a pretty decent growing season for the most part (at least in the northeast), and the trees undoubtedly produced a lot of carbohydrate, so this heavy seed crop shouldn't cause any real long-lasting problem. Biggest issue I can think of is that the bumper crop of seeds may create a bumper crop of squirrels next spring.

I hope that you are wrong about the squirrel population.

[Maple Hobo]

I hope that you are wrong about the squirrel population.

Been working on the squirrel population issue this year...lol

I might consider renting out my 16 yo son and his shot gun... You get to provide the 12/ga #6 shells though.

[DrTimPerkins]

I hope that you are wrong about the squirrel population.

This is one time I'd be quite happy to be wrong :)