Flowers and samaras on Japanese maples

Flowers on Japanese maples are usually rather insignificant and also very easy to miss
Samaras (the helicopters, whirligigs or whatever you like to call them) are in great abundance this year, and this seems to be so all over the world
Here are two pics of flowers and samaras on one of my trees, 'Suminagashi'
Have a look at yours and see if there is any life

 

I looked yesterday at mine and yes I have the little flowers, they are lovely and I wouldn't have known they were there if you hadn't educated me. Thanks

 

Thanks Stingo
It is good to know that I have some value

 

Definately whis4ey
(sorry can't seem to do a smiley)

 

In the Autumn collect the seed and sow them in trays, put them outside and in the Spring you should have some results.
I did this a few years back and finished up with a lot of seedlings, one I planted in the garden and is now about 4 foot tall.
The leaves on some of the seedlings where Red and others green.

 

Close to my garden there is a large maple tree which sets seedlings everywhere. Will this cross pollinate with my Japanese maples?

 

It might
One way to find out is to 'plant a seed'