Are Illinois Maple Trees Now Predicting A Brutal Winter?

Spring is here!  Long days, warm temps, beaches, grill outs...just trying to make you happy before I remind you that eventually, winter will be back.  That is the cycle of Midwest weather.

Let's enjoy everything the spring and summer have to offer.  But can we already look at the trees to see what winter will be like?

Tree Helicopters and Spinners

As a kid, I always called these things helicopters.  And we'd gather them up and throw them in the sky to watch them slowly spin their way to the ground.

These helicopters, or samaras, are winged seeds that fall from the tree.  The wings help them fly farther from the tree in hopes of growing a new tree not so close to the large one, dropping the seeds.

There are actually a lot of trees that have helicopter seeds.  Maples are the most common, but there are also Ash Trees, Sycamore, Tipu, and Tulip trees.

If you've noticed, it's a banner year for the helicopters in Illinois and Iowa.  A slight breeze sends them flying across the yard.  A strong breeze and your street might look like a storm blew through, with the number of them scattered around.

Are The Maple Trees Already Predicting Winter 2025?

It makes sense.  The tree knows a harsh winter is coming, so it produces extra seeds to try and keep the species alive.  However, despite what the old wives' tale may say, the helicopters are NOT predicting the weather.

In fact, it's the opposite.  A large number of tree helicopters indicates a "mast year," meaning the trees simply got all the sun, water, and nutrients they needed to create more helicopters.  Trees are reactive, not predictive.

So, put your mind at ease and enjoy this spring and summer without worrying about all those tree helicopters telling you to prepare for winter.