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Trees undoubtedly evolved prodigious fruit production to counteract very high levels of predation by fruit-eating animals such as this cardinal. Even a young elm such as this produces far more seeds than could ever germinate and grow. And many samaras never even fall to the ground. They are plucked as soon as they ripen.
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As an aside, Dutch Elm Disease (Ophiostoma ulmi), a fungus which entered the Americas from Europe in the early 1900's, has ravaged American Elms. The stately tree once was used widely as an ornamental street tree. Today, DED has laid waste to the giants and big trees are increasingly hard to find. CLICK HERE for the tale of a giant Ohio elm that I long admired but finally met its demise a few years ago.
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Later that morning, this gorgeous Eastern Bluebird (Sialia sialis) landed nearby as I stood there, camera on tripod and ready to go. He and his mate had occupied a nest box not far off, and I think he came over to check out the interlopers. I find it nearly impossible to resist photographing bluebirds, especially when they present themselves as nicely as this bird did. His upperparts are cloaked in what may be the finest shade of blue, ever.
However, young American Elms remain abundant. Once they reach a certain size, the fungus invades and eventually kills them, but they are replaced by other young trees. It would be great if DED somehow hit a wall and eventually vanished, but there are no signs of that happening insofar as I am aware. But even saplings fruit heavily, thus they are an important natural food source for birds and various mammals.
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