It’s the time of summer when we start seeing fluffy white bits gently falling, especially on a breezy day under a clear blue sky. It’s not summer snow, of course, but the eastern cottonwood does a fine imitation.

These are seeds of the tree released with cottony strands to help them travel long distances on the breeze. According to MinnesotaForestry.org, a single tree can release 40 MILLION seeds in a season.

And I have at least three of these trees right off the back of my house. For two weeks, these fluffy bits will fall like snow and build up along the driveway and in the landscaping.

It’s quite pretty, and for us not much of a nuisance. It might be different if we parked our cars outside. Our A/C guy advised us to keep our outdoor unit clear of the stuff, that’s about it. Honestly, pine needles in the gutters are the bigger hassle right now.

Here are a couple pictures from our tallest eastern cottonwood. The seeds form on the outer part of the canopy. As these trees grow over 100 feet tall, I can’t get a good picture of the fluffy catkins closer to the ground.