Do Your Maple Trees Have A Lot Of ‘Helicopters’ This Year?

We have one maple tree in our front yard -- just one -- but you'd guess there are a lot more, based on the insane amount of 'helicopters' that have been falling throughout our yard this year.

Ever since I was a kid, we've always called those seedy things maples trees produce each year 'helicopters,' seeing as they spiral to the ground in a motion similar to that of helicopter blades.

I did some checking, however, and found out those things we call 'helicopters' are actually referred to as a double-samara. This article explains more about maple trees, their distinctive helicopter-like double-samaras, and why there seem to be so many this year.

According to the article, "an over-abundance of helicopters indicates the tree experienced stress the previous year. Producing a bumper crop of seeds is the tree’s way of carrying on the species, should the stress continue and the tree die off."

Ahh, that makes sense. We did have a REALLY cold, nasty winter last year. So, we now have a ton of helicopters to clean up this year, as our maple tree attempts to keep itself, and subsequent maple trees, alive. Interesting. But still not a big help when it comes to keeping your driveway, sidewalk and gutters cleaned out.

Have your maple trees produced a lot of helicopters so far this year?