Normally associating beautiful ornamental flowering trees like Flowering Pears, Flowering Cherries, Red Buds, Tulip Trees, Dogwoods, etc with Spring, last year was the very first time that I really stopped to think much about flowers on regular "leafed" trees like Maples and Oaks and et al.

Nevertheless, those trees do also flower in Springtime; usually before leaves are produced. Their flowers may not be as flashy as ornamental flowering trees, but if you take the time to notice them, those flowers can be interesting.

Most maple tree flowers are quite small and are borne in clusters at the end of a long dangling flower stalk (pedicel). Colors will vary depending on the species of maple tree. For most people, these flowers often go totally unnoticed.

However, after flowering, maple trees will then produce the familiar helicopter seeds that children love, but which can be an annoyance for adults who have to sweep up the mess throughout the summer and fall. Then, things definitely get noticed!!!

The size of the entire maple flower cluster in my photo was about 1 inch total in diameter. It is notably small.

Visit my Maple Tree gallery here: http://www.pbase.com/britestar/maple_