Samara on a maple tree!

A samara is a type of dry fruit where one seed is surrounded by papery tissue that helps carry the seed away from the tree as the wind blows. The fruit does not split open, which means that it is indehiscent. They are often found in large groups on the tree.
Not all samaras look alike. One familiar type of samara is the double-winged one found on maple trees.

Latin Name: Acer saccharum
Other Common Names: Rock maple, hard maple
Native to: Northeastern and southern United States, and northeastern Canada
USDA Zones: 3 - 8
Height: 50 - 80' tall
Fall Color: Yellow, red or orange
Sugar maple growing profile

This is the first choice for making maple syrup as there is more sugar in the sap compared to other species, meaning it will take less sap to produce a gallon of syrup. The sugar maple can tolerate shade better than most large deciduous trees.