Messy Maples

I mentioned last week about putting on gutter guards to keep out the seeds from the maple trees, the ones I had said weren't ready to drop. Well, I spoke too soon. They dropped, and are dropping, and dropping . . . The huge maple next to the deck isn't our only maple. I don't even know what kind it is, but researching it I found there are 13 species native to the United States. Now out of all those there are four* that share several characteristics in common, and can you guess what one of those characteristics is? They all four produce a fruit called a samara (or double samara), which is a pair of connected, winged seeds. You know, those things you split open as a kid and stuck on the end of your nose. Remember that? Well those wonderful little things have helicoptered and covered our entire lawn! It was like it was snowing here over the last few days. But, what is that sound I hear? It is the drone of the mighty blower. Paul is out waging war, trying hard to get a handle on them, that is at least clear off the sidewalk and driveway. I'll be picking out the little sprouts of those seeds from my gardens forever. It's a never ending battle. Mother Nature . . . always one step ahead of ya!

*Sugar, Black, Red and Silver Maples

Copyright © 2006 Deborah Sharp Loeb