Hello Lee,

From the picture you sent of the seed pods, they can ripen from August to October. Some years trees can produce many seed pods or samaras and some years fewer. It is a normal and cyclical process for trees that have seed pods. Sometimes trees respond to stressful seasons by increasing seed production as a survival tool. Last year Michigan suffered drought conditions and could have triggered a stress response in the tree to produce more seed pods.

Here is an article on maple tree pods from MSU Extension on why seed pods are coming earlier and the abundance of them. http://msue.anr.msu.edu/news/maple_seeds_dropping_in_soon

Thank you for your question! Therese N. Michigan State University Extension Master Gardener Volunteer

You may also contact the toll free MSU Extension lawn and garden hotline at <personal data hidden> with your gardening questions or visit www.migarden.msu.edu for Smart Gardening resources.