Maple; Norway maple    Harilik vaher        Acer platanoides

 

The flowering start of maples marks the beginning of proper phenological spring.

A maple in full flower – it is a real sight. On warm and sunny spring days we hear the buzz of bees and other insects from the trees who, oblivious of themselves, gather nectar as well as the greenish pollen necessary for the activities of the organism.

 

Close-up of maple flowers: we see the nectar disc glossy from the nectar, male flowers with well developed stamens

 

The maple grows leaves after the flowering

In nature we seldom see maples: on the western islands for instance on the Kõinastu islet, on some bog islands on the mainland and also at the North Estonian bank shore on the area between the cliff and the sea.

Elsewhere maples grow in mixed forests together with other species: oak, ash, elm, lime sometimes birch or spruce. Dry and infertile soils do not suit maples. As young the tree withstands shadow as well as winter frosts but strong frosts precisely at the flowering time may damage maples.

Maples begin to bear seeds only at a quarter of a century old. Their seeds germinate very well – nine out of ten.

After the snow has thawed, the spilled seeds germinate in great numbers, the image below confirms that they are nourishing and juicy mouthfuls.

 

Last year’s  maple "nose"