Sounds weird, right? But I can find no other explanation for what's happening this Spring. . .

This is the time for the annual "rain" of little samaras
(seed pods) pouring down from my two mature silver
maples - I've learned to live with it - but THIS year, the
entire tips of branches with a whole clump of samaras
are coming down. Frequently, when I hear one falling, I quickly look up. . .and see the ever-present squirrels
up there! Now, that could be just a co-incidence, or the
sign of a real problem. . .already, I've noticed the trees
are leafing out in a much thinner canopy than usual.

Admittedly, these trees suffered considerable wind
damage over the past two years, and some of those broken limbs are still wedged up there. Also, these
trees are at least 50 years old - guess I should have
checked normal mortality rate.

Anyone have any thoughts: pernicious squirrels, disease, old age???

Carl