Edit:
Just realized the correct name for the tree is actually maple.
False friend caused mistake because its name is "Ahorn" in German.
Keeping the heading as it is, because it is funny, although it might trigger the Canadians (sorry, dudes!).
this post was submitted on 19 Apr 2026
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Growing up we called them helicopters because of the way they'd spin while falling. As an adult I'm more likely to think "welp, the tree shit all over the driveway again." Lol
The helicopters are the seeds during autumn though.
The things in the picture are apparently the flower petals the tree throws when not needing them any more.
The helicopters are fun.
Not only the way they fall, but we also used to open them up and stick them to our noses.
As an adult l am more divided: still somehow like them, but don't like having to remove dozens of maple saplings from our garden each year...
I called them both helicopter and "pinch-nose" (pince-nez) cause you can open the seed pocket that is sticky and place your nose in place of the side. But that is not what is on the picture.