This article about collecting Sugar Maple seed was originally written for Maple Leaves Forever in 2013 by Barb Boysen, retired General Manager of the Forest Gene Conservation Association. The article was updated in Fall 2021 by Kerry McLaven, CEO of the Forest Gene Conservation Association of Ontario. The Forest Gene Conservation Association is a not for profit organization in Ontario. For more information about the FGCA or to learn more about seed collecting please check out their website fgca.net.
The principles and methods described are applicable to other species of Native Maples. Without utilizing source identified seed that is properly collected, treated and stored, our restoration plans and our genetic heritage are at risk.
Collecting Sugar Maple Seed
by Barb Boysen (2013), updated by Kerry McLaven (2021)
Future generations of sugar maples are dependent on seed produced by today’s mature trees. Trees as young as 22 years can produce some seed but more viable crops are produced by much older trees. Sugar maple can live for 400 years. In a heavy seed year millions of sugar maple seed can fall in one hectare of forest. As such, sugar maple regenerates very well on its own, and its tolerance to shade means young seedlings and saplings can subsist in the understorey and respond well when some disturbance creates more light. Under similar conditions, red oak for example, would die out – it and many other species require more light at a younger age to survive.
Sugar maple can regenerate by seed or vegetatively by sprouting from stumps or damaged stems. The heavy seed crop years, when most parent trees produce seed, are responsible for most of our healthy, genetically diverse sugar maple forests. These heavy to bumper crops occur approximately every 4 to 7 years. However, climate change and extreme weather events can alter this cycle and monitoring these effects is critical during seed forecasting.
There is generally no lack of sugar maple in our forests, though our urban areas, and predominantly agricultural areas could use some help. However, sugar maple is better adapted to shaded, moist regeneration sites, not the usually exposed, extreme planting sites of old fields or urban streets and parks. As such any sugar maple plantings should be planned with care – choosing the moister sites, with more shade and definitely followed by tending to ensure they become well established.
But before you can plant a tree, you need to collect the seed – high quality, seed of known, locally-adapted seed sources.
If you are interested in collecting sugar maple seed, it helps to know how it all starts – with the flowers in early spring (mid April to mid May in Ontario).
Sugar maple flowers can be perfect – that is, have both male and female parts. But the flowers on one tree are mostly unisexual; either mostly male or mostly female. Females and males can be found at the top of the tree, but usually there are only males in the lower crown. All maples are pollinated by wind.
The seed is a winged seed or samara – and comes in pairs with 2 seeds fused together; the wings hang parallel to each other. Parallel wings are diagnostic of sugar maple and its close relative black maple. The invasive exotic Norway maple has wings oriented horizontally.
After pollination, the female flowers set seed which then take approximately 16 weeks to mature. In late June almost full-sized seed can be seen. This is a good time to forecast the crop and decide if a good crop is developing. Light seed years do not well represent the full genetic diversity of the local stand, and often have poorer germination rates and produce less vigorous seedlings – this makes them not worth collecting.
Sugar (and black) maple seed matures in the fall, usually from late September to early October. Silver and red maple on the other hand mature in the spring. At maturity the seed cavity will be completely filled with a bright green embryo (a plant in early stage of development) which consists of the radicle (the root), the cotyledons (first seed leaves) and the hypocotyl (stem between the root and the seed leaves). The wing will be yellowish-brown, and the seed coat will eventually turn brown as well.
Photo credit – Sean Fox
The mature seed may stay on the tree for several weeks, sometimes after leaf fall, which is when seed can be collected more efficiently.
To learn more about when to forecast, what to look for and when to collect order your own Seeds of Ontario Trees & Shrubs Field Manual for Crop Forecasting and Collecting from the Forest Gene Conservation Association website: fgca.net.
Most leaves have fallen leaving behind the mature seed – a bumper crop.
Photo credit – Barb Boysen
PLAN YOUR COLLECTION EFFORTS ONCE YOU HAVE DETERMINED:
- That the seed is worth picking = there is a lot of seed on most maple trees in the area;
- That the seed is mature = wings are yellow-brown and you‘ve cut several samples from the trees you are going to collect from, to make sure that at least one seed has a fully developed embryo that fills the seed cavity; and
- Whether you plan to grow it or you have already contacted and confirmed a buyer to sell it to.
- That you have permission to be on the property and to collect from the tree
COLLECTION OPTIONS:
- Hand pick from the ground using rakes
- Spread tarps under the trees and collect after natural seed fall
- Spread tarps and collect seed that falls after flailing the branches with bamboo poles or a pole pruner.
If you are planning to sell the seed, check with the buyer before you collect to see how much they want, what source they want, how they want it packaged and when they want it. Some buyers may want you to remove leaves, twigs, and other debris. If you can not ship or deliver the seed right away, spread out the seed in thin layers on trays or tarps in a COOL, DRY area. Overheating and excess moisture will kill the seed or cause it to mold.
Trays or burlap bags are often used. The bags should not be filled with more than about 40 litres per bag or the seed will start to overheat. Prepare 2 labels for each container and place one inside, for example in the bag, and securely attach the other one on the outside.
Minimum information to record on the label is the species, collection date, location of seed source (minimum closest municipality), the amount and your contact information. Other information may be required from the buyer, please be sure to check ahead.
Remember – seed collectors have a tremendous influence on the genetic fitness and therefore the long term ecological, social & economic success of planted trees. Please collect wisely.
For more information on seed collection or to become a Certified Seed Collector please visit our website fgca.net or email us at outreach@fgca.net