Lack of Seeds on Silver Maples and Cottonwoods This Year - Ask Extension
3 huge Silver Maple trees in my yard produced the red flowering mess this year, but none of them have produced the "whirly bird" seed pods. ...
Knowledgebase
Lack of Seeds on Silver Maples and Cottonwoods This Year #876332
Asked July 08, 2024, 1:12 PM EDT
3 huge Silver Maple trees in my yard produced the red flowering mess this year, but none of them have produced the "whirly bird" seed pods. I do not miss cleaning them up this year, but wonder if their absence was caused by last year's drought stress. Additionally, the big Cottonwood trees in my neighborhood produced very insignificant "cotton fluff" this year (again, not missed). Does this mean the trees are in trouble? I hope this year's rain is helping them to stay healthy! Thanks, Kay Taylor
Ramsey County Minnesota
Expert Response
Thank you for reaching out to ask2.extension.
I have also noticed that seed production is off. I would agree that the combination of a couple of dry years and the really wierd spring we’ve had is contributing to this. I don’t believe your trees are in trouble unless you notice considerable change in the foliage.
I think next year should show a rebound. Mother Nature seems to know what to do to protect herself.
