Maples producing seeds in the spring

[caters]

The sugar maples in my area produce seeds and flowers both in the spring. This year it might be closer to summer and fall due to cold snaps during an otherwise warm spring but usually it is during the spring.

I am watching the trees to see if any seeds have been produced. I am sure that seed production is starting now because flower petals fell off the maples in vast quantities and that happens when the flowers have been fertilized.

Hopefully this year I will find earthworms, plant 1 or 2 maple trees, and have them survive. I have had success for up to 3 years without stratification during years with hot summers and cold winters. When the seeds do fall off, should I plant a few viable ones right away(viable ones, I can feel the seed inside) and grow them, giving the trees a blanket when it gets cold if bark formation hasn't finished for some reason?

Now I am adding earthworms to make compost 24/7 and add nutrients to the soil in the pot. I will start with only a few worms. But other than when it rains during the day, when will I be able to see if I have more worms than I started with(since they are true hermaphrodites and can use their male parts to fertilize each other's eggs)?

And should I spread their food(leaves and scraps) in a thin layer all over the pot except where the maples are or what?

[Cedar Eater]

I always heard the sugar maples produce their seeds in late Summer/early Fall. You probably have red or silver maples.

[bowhunter]

Sugar maples only produce the seeds in late summer or fall. We have red, silver and sugar maple here in central Ohio.