I have never seen such prolific flowering as this year on my maples. I have scores of cultivars producing samaras right now on which I have never seen seeds. I am excited already about germinating these seeds. A learned acerologist friend told me that flowers produced following a rainy year(s) are mostly female; flowers following a dry year(s) male. Here in th Bay Area we had about 65-75% normal rain (dry year) but 2006 was very wet (130%+ of normal) so I believe this flowering & seed production is the result of the wet 2006 winter/spring. Also, I have noticed bees pollinizing the flowers. How else are Japanese maple flowers pollinized please? Would appreciate all feedback. Thanks.
Similar here too , the native maples are loaded with bloom. Other trees also. Japanese maples still leafing out. Never seen a spring like this one. Interesting observations there. Last year's summer was quite dry here, think fall to spring here may be a little wetter than normal. Don't know much about maple pollen, but understand some plants have a heavy pollen spread by insects, then a lighter pollen spread by wind.
Strangely enough, even here in Northern Ireland I am seeing flowers and samaras on maples that have never shown before. It could just be because my trees are maturing, but surely that would be a coincidence when you are having the same experience?
Katsura,Chimera,Whis4ey is true!this year is incredible many flowers and samaras on my maple I see flowers on JM Villa Taranto!!!Why this ?Japan have similar conditions of time?
I agree I can only think of 3 of my maples that haven't flowered this year, Ukigomo, Katsura & Trompenburg. My 2 Viridis are covered with flowers and the others have a fair number too. I think mine maybe maturing too, but I didn't have a single flower on any last year. regards HZ
Wonder if increasing levels of carbon dioxide has any bearing on the what seems like a more profuse bloom of various types of trees this year ? In respect to more being available to the plant.
