Often noticed but seldom seen are the little clusters of maple seeds. These are under some very large maple trees where the grass is very thin and they are easily noticed. After passing by I remembered seeing piles of worm casing under the same maple trees so I returned to investigate. ( photo / image / picture from jbest123's Garden ) Here there are three or four seeds that the winged part of the seed is completely buried in worm casing. ( photo / image / picture from jbest123's Garden ) I gently removed the seeds and uncovered two worm holes. ( photo / image / picture from jbest123's Garden ) In this photo I had uncovered the third hole. The casing is better defined and there are maple seeds with the winged portion and skin that I assume were eaten off. Any thoughts as to how worms can harvest maple seeds without opposing thumbs? ( photo / image / picture from jbest123's Garden )
John, I think the worms hire ants--ants can go anywhere and do anything! That is interesting. We have worm castings in the pathway to the barn--the hardest, most compacted soil on the place and the worms still like it there. Are the worms using the maple seeds and wings to cover the entrance to their hole, or did it just happen that way?
Night crawlers are noted for gathering Maple seeds and leaf litter, pulling them to their hole and eating them in safety away from Robins and other birds. Seeds, covered by leaf litter and fertilized by worm castings have a better chance of sprouting. Jerry P.S. I suppose you could call it a symbiotic relationship between worms and Maple trees.
I once saw a leaf disappearing into a hole in the ground. It went very slowly and I sat there gaping for a very long time. I guess the worms needed a snack.
