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Maple “seed crop” looks strong for 2019!

The hot, dry summer of 2018 has produced a heavier than normal “seed crop” on our Native Maples for 2019.

During the past few weeks (early to late-June), our native red and silver maples have shed their seed crops where they are growing along city streets and in parklands.

The larger silver maple seed can be seen along walkways and on the grass in neighbourhoods. The much smaller red maple seed is harder to find.

5 seeds in upper left are native red maple seeds; directly below are 3 Freeman’s maple seed; and to the right are 3 silver maple seeds on a common seed stalk

A less common, naturally occurring hybrid of these species (Freeman’s maple) occurs where the range of these species overlaps. Its seed is distinct from that of either parent trees.

A dime is included here to give a sense of scale. Freeman’s maple seed is directly above the dime; red maple seed is to the right of the dime; silver maple seed is to the right of the Freeman’s maple, in the upper right of the photo.

The seed of Sugar and Black maple matures in mid-September.