I stepped outside today and saw millions of what looked like leaves falling from the trees and whirling in the wind (I’m not sure what trees they were, no idea).
I took a few pictures including one close-up. On close inspection these weren’t leaves, they looked more like feathers, but so many small ones? That can’t be right.
Hi,
They are seeds from maple trees.
those are schizocarps
Thanks, you were right! Maple-tree seeds. They’re called “samaras”, actually:
I’m going to take a guess here that you recently moved to your current location, and used to live in some other part of the country where maples are rare. If you haven’t been there since the fall, you’ve got something to look forward to then, too.
If you’re very unlucky, those little bastards will turn in to actual goddamn maple trees in your flower beds. Healthy, sturdy, Roundup-impervious maple trees which will grow and grow and keep growing until you finally get a shovel strong enough to get them out.
They will also clog the shit out of your gutters.
Nature. Harumph.
Wow. As a Canadian I find it impossible to not know what these are.
I was afraid of sounding all snarky, but I am curious to know where the OP is from that he’s never seen maple seeds before. And maples are not the only trees with whirly-bird seeds. My ash trees dump them by the ton every year.
This. And they have the most tenacious root systems that grab the earth and never let go. And if you cut the little bastards at the surface, they’ll just grow back, bigger and stronger.