I am going to give it a try. Hope I am not allergic. Every day at wikiHow, we work hard to give you access to instructions and information that will help you live a better life, whether it's keeping you safer, healthier, or improving your well-being. Better still, the ones that taste bitter, use these for cooking because adding spices can sure make them taste great. References The samaras are covered in small hair-like bristles that irritate skin and the seed inside the pods are tiny, shriveled little things. She earned a BA in Environmental and Sustainability Studies from Western Michigan University in 2014. I have been searching for information with no avail. The flow is best on warm sunny days following a frost. If not is there any maple trees that produce seeds poisonous to people? I have read that it is on some websites but others report it is toxic for horses. If they drop in early spring, this means that they have naturally adapted to the seasonal cycle and temperatures that are best suited for their growth. ", Unlock this expert answer by supporting wikiHow. If the seeds have begun to sprout, remove them from the refrigerator. Is there anything wrong with doing this? Edible Uses Thanks! Maple Trees Without Helicopter Seeds by Zone. Water whenever the soil becomes completely dry. She earned a BA in Environmental and Sustainability Studies from Western Michigan University in 2014. Most maple seeds ripen in the autumn. Thank you! If you notice any mold or black spots, remove the affected seed and throw it away. Even the groves that drop seeds early usually have alternate years of good and bad seed production. ", seeds if I'd just planted them like I've done with other species. Please consider making a contribution to wikiHow today. unlocking this expert answer. Global Warming is causing soils to dry up and harden, therefore increasing seed vulnerability. I feel encouraged to try to grow, "This was extremely helpful. By leaving lower leaves and removing the top grow bud, the energy the top grow bud misses out on is dispersed to all lower buds. % of people told us that this article helped them. wikiHow marks an article as reader-approved once it receives enough positive feedback. Approved. To germinate maple tree seeds, try the cold stratification approach by first filling a plastic bag with growing materials such as peat moss, vermiculite, or germination paper. Ideally, use a thermometer to confirm the correct temperature. They eat for a very long time. This might be due to a mutation in the sugar maple DNA. It can be harvested in late winter but is not produced in economic quantities[2, 4, 13, 105]. ****************. By using our site, you agree to our. Thanks to all authors for creating a page that has been read 309,273 times. But thank you for letting me know they are edible. Click here for more. The sap can also be used to make a wine[183]. By using this service, some information may be shared with YouTube. The steps are easy to follow. So long as you have no allergies to this tree and in small quantities! Leaf division works well for both branching and bushing up a tree. My husband asked me just yesterday ! Left alone in the soil, they can take years to germinate. I got so little food from the effort that I do not believe shelling them was worth it and the seed pods are not really edible due to the sharp hairs and the really thick shell. Don't expect more than 20–30% germination rates, if you see any at all. To eat maple tree seeds you need to remove the wings. If you're going to plant the seeds outdoors, start this method 90–120 days before the last winter frost. But you can stop the formation of seeds using a hormone growth inhibitor. The fruits of maple trees (Acer spp.) After peeling the outer covering of the samara, you’ll find a pod containing the seeds. These helicopters were also known as “whirlees” or keys. Even the preparation of dried beans and peas should be prepared in this matter for consumption.. Once this is done, roasting or cooking to the desired taste is your choice.. You may even consume raw without the danger of any medical effects.. Maple tree seeds are edible, contain protein, and can be used as survival food in winter months, however like many wild edibles the best flavours are enjoyed in spring. Did you know you can read expert answers for this article? Transfer to planter pots once the second set of leaves appear. If you feel eating maple seeds raw just doesn’t do it for your taste buds then boil them for about 15 minutes or until soft. Place the bag in the crisper drawer of you refrigerator to trigger germination. The nut milk made from this species is very thick, and while it would be a total waste of shelled nuts, it may be the only thing to do in bulk with the big leaf maple. I recommend bringing them inside in winter for the first year.